OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1921, Page 3

OBITUARY

JOHN S. LANG, AFT AT 83

Private advice received to-day records the death of a well-known resident of the district, Air John S. Lang at Christchurch. Thu deceased left Hokitika some ten days ago for Christchurch, en route to Scotland. He was then in very frail health and his friends did not think • him strong enough for tlie journey. Gn arrival at Christchurch ho was forced to enter the hospital there, and underwent an operation, his illness terminating to-day. Mr Lang was born in Lan. nrkshire, Scotland in 1838 and followed, farm work from his boyhood. In 1857 Mr Lang caught the fold fever and emigrated to \ ictoria, in the haiqm ‘ Ida" from Liverpool, and worked on the Ararat goldfields; after which he was employed on railway contracts at Cnstlemainc. Air Lang came to New Zealand in 1860, visited the Otago .midfields, and was subsequently employed hi the erection of a telegraph line between the Afolyneaux and Invercargill. In the “rush” of 1865 ho went to Hokitika,, and for a time engaged in hush work, but in 1867 he took up 500 acres of land at Kokatahi.' Mr Lang was a member of tlie Westland County Council for three years' as representative of Kanieri riding and be was chair, man during one year of bis term. He was for many years a member of the Hokitika Agricultural and Pastoral Association. at whose shows he has been a Large prize winner, a member of tlie Westland Land Board; and was a. trustee of tbp Hokitika Savings Bank. Hi* wife predeceased him some years ago. For a considerable time past Mr Lang bad boon a, great sufferer. Mr Gavin Lang of Blenheim, formerly of Kokntnbi. is a nephew.