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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 671, 7 January 1852, Page 3

It is with great concern we have to announce the death of Capt. W. M. Mitchell, ofH.M. 84th Regt., at Madras, on the 25th June, 1851. Capt. Mitchell arrived in New Zealand from India in 1848, and travelled overland in company with the Hon. Arthur Petre from Auckland to Wellington, and made himself acquainted with the capabilities of the different settlements in the Northern Island. He then went to England, and returned to the colony in the latter part of 1849. In April, 1850, he, together with his friend Mr. Dashwood, undertook an expedition with the view of finding an inland route from the Wairau to the Port Cooper Plains, a very interesting account of which, from his pen, was published in the Government Gazette of August, 1850. He established a station m the Canterbury block under Mount Grey, and set a good example m the energy and perseverance with which he overcame the difficulties attendant on forming a station. He sailed in October 1850 for India, intending to return to New Zealand and become a colonist, being delighted with the fineness of the climate and

the capabilities of the country, of which he was well qualified to form an opinion, having travelled over the greater part of both Islands. But these plans he was not permitted to realise having, soon after his return to India, fallen a victim to that climate. Capt. Mitchell originally came to New Zealand for the benefit of his health, which had been much impaired by a long residence in India. 6