Mr. Alfred Shelly Parker, formerly Manager of the Christchurch branch of Messrs Butterworth Bros. Limited, was born in London in 1853, and was educated at the City of London School. He was brought up in London to the soft goods trade, and had a wholesale and retail experience extending for several years till 1874, when he came to Lyttelton per ship “Lady Jocelyn.” After several years in the service of Messrs Twentyman and Couzins as a salesman, Mr. Parker entered the employment of Messrs. Butterworth Bros, In 1881, and was promoted to the position of manager in 1890. Mr. Parker was married in 1879 to a daughter of Mr. Ferrier, of Timaru, and had three sons and two daughters. He died on the 5th of July, 1901.