OBITUARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10298, 5 June 1919, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR JOHN ILOTT. The death of Mr John Ilott, which occurred at his residence, 24, Buller street, at 5 p.m. yesterday, removes a familiar figure in Wellington business circles. Mr Ilott was the son of Dr John Ilott, M.R.C.S.E., L.K., and | Q.C.P.1., a English surgeon, who subsequently settled in Irelaud. Ho was born in loo'2, and received his education at tne leading college at Dublin in his day. ills father had retired to his estate at Mount ltuiby, Mallow, and when only nineteen Mr Ilott had to relinqu.sa : his university career to xako over tne j management of the estate owiug to this father's illness. Mr John ilott, who was a noted huntsman and shot in his younger days, relinquished farming after his lasher's death. Uwing to severe attacks of rheumatic lever, he had to leave for the colonies lor his health, and arrived m New Zealand on January Ist, iS&o. .'Because of the well-known properties of its mineral baths, he settled at Te Aroha. The goidheids township was then at the height oi its mining boom, and Mr Ilott took over the management and edicorsiup of the "Te.AroUa News." Eventually, with Mr Henry Brett, ho took over the paper as managing partner. He took a very active pare, in the development 01 the district, and was a member of tho To Aroha Hot Springs Domain Board and of the Te Arolia Town Board, both of which he was largely instrumental in promoting. In inbi he was appointed J.P., and in that capacity did most of the justice work of tho large district, also filling the position of coroner. In XH9O he left Te Aroha to take up the position of assistantmanager ol the "New Zealand Times," resigning in 1891 to enter.into business on his. owii account as North Island managing agent for some of New Zealand's leading newspapers. Exceptional energy, enterprise, and integrity' resulted in a rapid growth, and the business expanded, 'until Mr Ilott was doing Business for all New Zealand papers, i'ear after year was marked by rapid growth, ana in 1915 the business was formed into a limited liability company, with Mr J. Uott as governing director,. and his son, Mr J. M. A'. Ilott, who had entered into partnership with him, as managing director. His balanced judgment was much valued in business circles, and ho served on the directorates of several local companies, resigning owing to ill-health. 'Mr Uott was a great supporter of every good work, and for years past it had been his aim to spend the major portion of his income in helping those causes in which lie was interested. The Terrace Congregational Church loses a very prominent member. Sir Ilott was elected, a deacon of it twenty-five years ago, and. held office right throughout that period. Ho was most active, in Y.M.O.A. work, and was one of the first members of the board of management, served as chairman of the house committee, and was elected president of the association, resigning shortly afterwards owing to ill-health. He was most interested in foreign missionary effort, and himself paid the salary of a worker whom he looked upon as taking his place there. One of tlio first members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, lie was a member of the committee from the outset, and held the office of president for some time. In earlier years he was an active member of the New Zealand Journalists' Institute, and for some time was treasurer of the Wellington branch of this body. His life was marked by quiet, unostentatious charity and good works. His was the hand that sent many an anonymous donation to tho6e who needed help. His keen sense of humour and his high principle marked his business life. At the cost of losing business he at all times refused to handle any advertising for articles or businesses of which he did not approve. All his life he was an ardent worker in tho cause of temperance, and in earlier days was active in Band of Hope work and in support of the New Zealand Alliance. In 1832 -j.r Ilott married Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, daughter of Mr W. H. Baldwin, a well-known Irish landowner. • He leaves his widow, one son (Mr J. M. A. Ilott), and a grandson. FATHER JAMES PATTERSON.The Rev. Father James* Patterson, who died at Takapuna on Tuesday night, was known throughout NewZealand, and was much esteemed for his/fine work and his genial qualities. He.was born in Jitagland over seventy years ago, and had been in the dominion for over thirty years. He came out here on behalf of the Maori missions, and was most successful as a collector in fhis respect. Later he took charge of the parish of Palmerston North, and laboured there among his flook for several years, .earning the love and devotion oi all. Ho was well known in the Wellington district during that period. While at Palmerston tho late priest built St. Patrick's Church there. Later he went to Auckland, where he was administrator. During his period of service in that diocese Father Patterson accompanied the late Bishop Lenihan on his last trip to Rome. After his return he was in charge of the parish at Parnell. Later he retired, owing to his advanced age, and had since lived at Takapuna, whore he occupied a residence by the seashore. Tho late priest was an accomplished musician, and was much sought after in musical circles. SIGNOR BARZJLAI, ITALIAN PEACE DELEGATE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 4, 11.5. p.m.) BOMB, May 23. Signor Barzilai, Peace delegate, is dead.