Mr. Samuel Delabere Barker was born in 1848 in Rugby, England, and arrived with his parents by the ship “Charlotte Jane” in 1850. He was educated at Christ's College and was brought up to pastoral pursuits, in which he engaged in South Canterbury till 1886. After settling in Christchurch, Mr. Barker was appointed Librarian of the Supreme Court in 1887. He was secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association and of the Christchurch Domain Board, also supervisor of New Zealand University Examinations held in Christchurch, and a member of the committee of the Christchurch Beautifying Association. Mr. Barker was married, in 1878, to a daughter of the late Colonel Lean, who was then commanding officer of the Canterbury Volunteer District. He died on the 17th of September, 1901, leaving a widow, four sons and three daughters.