DEATH OF MR J. C. WATTS-RUSSELL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 252, 2 April 1875, Page 3

DEATH OF MR J. C. WATTS-RUSSELL.

We regret to have to announce the death of this gentleman, which took place this morning at an early hour. Mr Watts-Russell, who was well known to everyone in Canterbury, arrived in Lyttelton in 1850, being one of the passengers by the Sir George Seymour, one of the first four ships, and he was a prominent member of those settlers who earned for themselves the title of "The Canterbury Pilgrims." The deceased gentleman took an active part in sheep-farming pursuits, and his estate at Ham, named after the property of his family in England, is known to everyone of our readers. Here for a series of years Mr Watts-Russell resided and the hospitality of Ham became a proverb, not alone in Canterbury, but throughout the colony of New Zealand. Some few years ago Mr Watta-Russell paid a visit to England, and from that date he had not enjoyed such good health as formerly. No danger, however, was apprehended, and it was not until two days ago that his relations anticipated any dangerous results from his illness. Mr Watts-Russell, amongst other numerous offices held that of District Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Order of Freemasons in this province.