MR. JOHN HIGGINS, DARFIELD

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 17, 23 April 1903, Page 20

MR. JOHN HIGGINS, DARFIELD

It is with regret that we announce the death, which occurred at Darfield recently, of Mr. John Higgins, a very old colonist and resident of Darfield district. Mr. Higgins exceeded the allotted span of life, having attained the advanced age of 95 years, a fact which says much for his habits of living and vitality. He was born in the County of Kerry, Ireland, from whence he emigrated to Australia, where for some time he was connected with the gold diggings. Subsequently he was engaged in shipping horses from Sydney to this Colony. On the occasion of his arrival with his first consignment for Canterbury, the ship was unable, at first, to come alongside Jit Lyttelton to land her freight. This fact, however, did not deter Mr. Higgins from coming ashore. With all the daring and impetuosity of the Irishman, he jumped upon one of his horses, forced it into the water, and swam it to land. This incident was characteristic of Mr. Higgins* whole career ; nothing could daunt, nothing discourage him. At a later stage of his life ho was occupied in carting round the Sumner road before the construction of the tunnel. Later on Mr. Higgins engaged in farming at .Shands Track, which he continued for a lengthened period. He then moved on to Springston and Leeston, following a similar pursuit. In 1872 he settled at Darfield, where he brought up a large family Mr. Higgins was a large-hearted, generous man, of broad

sympathies, and in his death the Catholic Church, of which he was a devout member, loees a warm son and a liberal supporter. His wife survives him — R.I.P.