DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 736, 28 October 1876, Page 2

DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.

It is again our painful duty to chronicle the death of one of the pioneer settlers of this province—that of Mr C, J, Bridge, which took place at his residence, Homebrook, Southbridge, on Tuesday, the 24th instant. Mr Bridge was a passenger in the Randolph, one of the first four ships which arrived in Port Cooper in the year 1850. He was consequently looked upon as one of the Pilgrim Fathers of this province. Mr Bridge’s first New Zealand home was at Opawa, where he resided, except during a short visit to England, until the formation of the Christchurch and Lyttelton Railway, which, passing through his property, necessitated his selling the farm. He then went to the, at that time, almost unknown district of Ellesmere, and took up a large tract of land, both in freehold aud as a run, and is consequently one of the first landowners in what is now termed the Southbridge district, although not the first settler there. Mr Bridge was the first president of the first farmers’ club formed in Canterbury, the existence of which will doubtless be remembered by many of his old fellow colonists, For the last twelve years Mr Bridge has resided at his estate of Homebrook, near the township of Southbridge, of which township he was the founder, it taking its name from him, and having been, in fact, a part of his estate. It is entirely owing to the foresight and liberality of the deceased gentleman that the township was ever formed, as it was his custom to permit his servants to select pieces of land to build upon, and to pay for the same by their labor on the farm. There are now many residents in Southbridge who are reaping the fruit of his kind generosity. The Church Property Trustees are indebted to Mr Bridge for the site of St James’ Church, together with twenty acres of land as a glebe. He gave the land upon which the district school and Presbyterian Church are built, and also two acres in the centre of the township as a reserve for recreation purposes. Mr Bridge evinced great interest in educational matters, both as chairman and member of the school committee. He was also a member of the Synod up to the time of his death; a member, and for many years chairman of the Ellesmere Road Board, and a member of the River Rakaia Conservators Board. He was one or the first Freemasons who started a lodge in Canterbury, and was the first treasurer of the St Augustine Lodge (the first lodge of the province), and within the last year materially assisted at the opening of the Lodge of Progress, Southbridge, of which at the time of his death he was treasurer. He was also a member of the local lodge of Oddfellows. But it is not alone on account of Mr Bridge’s public services and liberality, nor his unremitting attention to his numerous duties, that he will be remembered. His kind, beuevolent nature, his alacrity at all times to come to the assistance of the needy aud distressed, his genial hospitality and kindly welcome to all classes, have for many years endeared him to the hearts of all who knew him. In Southbridge his presence will be sadly missed. The funeral left Homebrook at two o’clock on the afternoon of the 27th instant, the coffin according to the expressed wishes of the deceased, being borne on the shoulders of eight residents in the place, and his former servants. His remains were followed by a very numerous train of friends and neighbors, many of whom came from afar to show this last token of respect to a man so valued oy all. The funeral service was conducted by the Veu Archdeacon Wilson and the Rev Walter Harper.