A PIONEER PASSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8347, 6 February 1913, Page 7

A PIONEER PASSES

DEATH OF PROMINENT GISBORNE CITIZEN, Press Association. GISBORNE. February 6. Tha death occurred this evening of »oe of New Zealand’s foremost pioneers, in the person of Mr J. T. Evans, who had for many years been associated in business matters with many firms all over the Dominion, and whoso loss will bo a sad blow to a wide circle of friends and business acquaintances. The late Mr Evans was bom at Cheltenham, England, in September, 1841, and received his education and business training at Derby. Ho came to New Zealand in the ship Mataoka, landing at Port Chalmers on July 4th, 1863, After a few weeks in Dunedin Mr Evans settled in Oamaru, where ho married Miss Shaddock, an old playfellow of Derby. During a residence of twenty-two years in Oamaru Mr Evans was dosely associated with public affairs, and was a member of the Borough Council, Road Board, County Council, Harbour Board, and Chamber of Commerce. Ho came to Gisborne in February, 18S4, and joined Captain J. Kennedy in business as shipping agents and lightermen, the business being taken over by the Gisborne Sheep Farmers’ Company in 1906, when Mr Evans retired, though ho still kept up his_ with many businesses in which ho was interested. Ho remained chairman of directors of the Gisborne Gas Company and of Common, Shelton and Co. until his death. Mr Evans was a shrewd business man, whose advice on such matters was sought by many, and was evidently respected. His death will leave a sad gap in the ranks of the fast-diminish-ing pioneers of the Dominion. Airs Evans survives, and a family of five eons and seven daughters, as follows: Messrs J. H. Evans, G. L. Evans, A. B. Evans (Gisborne), E. R. Evans (Auckland), H. 0. Evans (London), Miss E. Evans (Gisborne), Mosdamcs Brooklobank, Mitchell. Vanticr, W. Black (Gisborne), Howard church), and Jack (Naseby).