OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2586, 21 August 1909, Page 5

OBITUARY.

PROMINENT NELSON RESIDENTS

(Per Press Association.' NELSON, August 20. Mr R. Rout, senior, founder of tho firm of Rout and Sons, financial agents; and Councillor Gill, of Wakapuaka aro dead. , MR. GEORGE~PAYLING. CHRISTCHURCH, August 20. Mr. George Payling, one of the most prominent citizens of Christchurch, who had been in somewhat bad health for a long time, died suddenly at his residence near Bealey Avenue this afternoon. Mr. Payling had taken a very active interest in the public affairs of Christchurch for many years, and his name was closely , associated with the municipal progress of the city. Amongst public positions held by the late Mr. Payling were those of Mayor of Christchurch and chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Before being elected Mayor, ho was for many years a member of the Christchurch City Council, and presided as acting-Mayor during Sir John Hall’s illness at Exhibition time. As a member of the City Council h© did a great deal of excellent work. As Mayor he entered with great -vigor and enthusiasm into the movement which, largely through his efforts, resulted in the inauguration of a high-pressure wa.ter supply system, which is now being installed in the city and suburbs. On the Hospital Board, where probably he did most of his public work, he showed a very sympathetic feeling toward the scheme for the establishment of a consumption sanatorium, and in other ways he did much to help those in distress. He was also intimately associated with the administration of the sport of trotting in Christchurch, and as chairman of the New Zealand Trot.ting Associatiqn he did good work. At the recent election he was given a seat upon the Christchurch Tramway Board.