OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1592, 1 August 1916, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MB. JOHN STEVENS, EX-M.P.

The death look place, at his residence, Palmerston N., on Sunday night, of Mr John Stevens, ex-M.P. The end was quite peaceful. Mr Stevens was chatting and joking with liis friends upon favourite topics, when he leaned hack and expired. The end was quite sudden, and came withona warning. Only three minutes lief ore he died Mr Stevens laughed heartily at a joke he had made concerning the German “victory” in the North Sea. There was nothing to give any indication that he was in anything imt his usual health.

The late Mr Stevens was widely known throughout the Dominion, and was intimately associated with the early progress of the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts. He was horn in 1845 at Thorndon Flat in Wellington, and came to Rangitikei in 1854 with his grandfather in a tore and aft schooner called “The Sisters.” Starting from Pipitea Point they embarked in the afternoon, and by 4 pan. next day they ran on to the sand spit inside Bangitikoi heads. The ship's company landed in a-dingey, and had a meal at Scott’s accommodation house. This was Mr Stevens’ advent to the part of the Dominion that lie was so closely identified with. He saw active service with the Wanganui Volunteer cavalry in 18(54-18(55, and subsequently he became captain of the Bangitikei Volunteer Cavalry. In 1873 ho assisted the Hon. Henry Bussell in interpreting the sittings of the Hawke’s Bay Lands Alienation Commission. He was a gifted Maori, scholar. He was always a keen judge of horsellesh, and was one of the founders of the Bulls Racing Club. As long ago as 1858 he rode two winners at a faceting of (he dull. In 1882 lie entered the political arena, becoming member for Rangitikei by defeating Sir William Fox by (he close majority of 2 votes. In 1884 lie was defeated by Robert Bruce. In 1885 he became a member of the Wanganui Education Board, resigning that position to visit India. In 188(5 he was successful in vesting the title of over 400,000 acres of land in the Queen’s name. This land that, he secured for the Government —presided over then by John Ballanee —included (he wellknown Waimarino Block, through which the Main Trunk trains now pass. Later he became a member of the Wellington Land Board, a position he held for 10 years.

11l 1893 he was again returned to Parliament, and was re-elected in 1896-1899-1902. In 1902 he was defeated by Mr Vile, and in 1905 he again contested the seat, retiring in 100 S. In the latter years of his political life he was senior Government Whip. Ho was member for Rangitikei off and on from 1881 to 1908. The late Mr Stevens resided in Rangitikei nulil a few years ago, when he removed to Palmerston. He was by occupation a farmer and auctioneer, being practically the pioneer auctioneer in (Ids district. He established in Palmerston the (inn of Stevens and Gorton, of which (lie (inn of Abraham and Williams was an offshoot. Colonel Gorton took over the Feilding and Rangitikei districts and Mr K. S. Abraham bought out Mr Stevens’ 1<!. •; 1 interests.

In later life he had the misfortune to become afflicted with blindness and physical weakness, hutright up lo his death his mental powers retained the vigour of his youth, and his splendid memory — a veritable storehouse of information upon the early settlers, and history of the coast, of native folklore and language, and of the course of events, was uuimparod. The late Mr Stevens was predeceased by bis wife, some years back, lie leaves to mourn Ids loss Mrs Colonel Dalrymple, who is now in Prance, Miss Ethel Stevens (Gisborne), Misses Hilda and Daisy Stevens, of Palmerston North, Miss Alecn Stevens, of Featherston, Mr Laurie Stevens, of Taranaki, Burrell and Kenneth Stevens, on active service, and Mr William Stevens, of Philadelphia. Mr Stevens on his mother’s side was a member of the will-known Eraser family of Raiigitikei. The late Mr Stevens’ funeral will take place at Parewanui to-morrow (Wednesday).