ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 18817, 10 May 1920, Page 5

ABOUT PEOPLE

A Press Association message from Fonda® says that the King and Queen of the Belgians are visiting England. They aeroplaned from Brussels to Farnborough. A London Press Asociation message states that the Bishop of Durham is dead. He was the original of the Reverend Cuthben Clare in “Tess of the d’Urbervilles.” His father was the original of Clare’s father. Mr R. W. Porter, who was some time ago appointed Chief Postmaster at Invercargill arrived in town on Saturday night to take up duty. Mr Porter’s appointment is of special interest, in that his career in the Department was begun in Invercargill. The death occurred at his residence, “Mona Vale,” Fendalton, Christchurch, on Friday night, of Mr William Nicholls, at the age of 69 years, after a long illness, Mr Nichoils was a native of Cornwall, England, and came to New Zealand in 1863, arriving at Auckland in the sailing ship Warspite. Four years later he went to Canterbury, where he completed bis education, and served an apprenticeship to the wool trade under the late Major Homebrook, and remained with him for some years. In 1877 Mr Nicholls started in business in the wool trade at Belfast, in conjunction with the late Mr J. M. Watt, and after Mr Watt’s death Mr Nicholls contined the business, which has grown into the now well-known Kaputone Wool Works, and he managed this business till his death. He also possessed a draught horse stud farm at Belfast, and was a very successful exhibitor of Clydesdales at Canterbury show’s. The late Mr Nicholls owned one of the most picturesque homes to be seen in the environments of Christchurch, and a walk through the Mona Vale rosary, fernery, glasshouses, and aquarium, was one of the attractions of the visitors to Christchurch. About two years ago he was elected as a member of the Christchurch City Council, and he retained the office up to the time of his death. He also was a member of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Mr Nicholls is survived by a widow, throe sons, and two daughters.