Mr. Christopher Ryan was born in the year 1857, in Jersey, where he was brought up to the business of a licensed victualler. He came to New Zealand in the year 1874, by the ship “Stonebridge,” and landed at Lyttelton. He found employment at Warner's Hotel, Christchurch, for two years, and then went to Kumara, and was afterwards for one year at Mr. Church's Empire Hotel, Hokitika. Mr. Ryan next went to Wellington, and was employed for some time in the Occidental Hotel. He then became proprietor of the Criterion Hotel, Blenheim, which he conducted for seven years, when he returned to Wellington, and was at the City Hotel for one year and a half. He afterwards removed to Woodville, where he became proprietor of the Commercial Club Hotel. Mr. Ryan subsequently sold out, went to Wellington, and acquired the Private Hotel at Kaiawarra. While in Blenheim Mr. Ryan was for three years a member of the Borough Council. He was also a member of the school committee, treasurer of the Marlborough Racing and Trotting Club, originator and secretary of the Marlborough Gun Club, promoter and treasurer of the Marlborough Licensed Victuallers' Association, senior warden of Lodge Killarney, and an officer in the Royal Arch Chapter. On leaving Blenheim he was presented with a handsome gold watch, suitably engraved, as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen. Mr. Ryan was for about two years part owner with Mr. Sutherland of a run in Queen Charlotte Sound; and he was also the owner of the hurdler “Clyde,” the racer “Gladstone,” and the hack “Pearl.”