SAM CHEW LAIN.

The death of Mr Sam Chew Lain, whioh oocurred at bis residence, Tuapeka Flat, on Sunday last after a short illness, will be heard of with regret throughout the whole distriot, and even, we might say, throughout the whole province, for he was a man who, catering for the public for the past 30 years, was most widely known and respected. Mr Chew Lain landed in Victoria from China when he was 15 years of age and after following mining there for some years came to New Zealand early in the sixties. After mining in Munros Gully for some time he left for tbe Switzers diggings and remained some years in that locality. He then returned to tbe Tuapeka distriot and in con-

junction with a fellow-countryman, named Wong On, built the Chinese Empire Hotel at Tuapeka Flat. The partnership was not* one of long duration, Wong On transferring his interest in the business to Mr Chew Lain shortly after the house was built, and " Sam " has conducted the hotel Einoe. As a businessman he quickly estab-

lished a reputation for thorough honesty and sorupulous exaotness in business matters, and

it is, therefore, not a matter of eurprise that he proved in every resppct a thoroughly successful businessman. To his oountrymen and Europeans alike he has proved in many oases a friend" indeed, and stories of largehearted generosity are legion. He leaves a widoff to mourn his loss but no family. The funeral, notwithstanding that it took plaoe in a heavj downpour of rain, was largely attended by the residents of Lawrence and distriot, and there Wiß also in the procession a- large number of bis countrymen. Funeral services at the grave were conduoted by the Rev. J. A. Will and by the Masonic body, of which order he was a member. Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5046, 18 March 1903, Page 3