The death is announced of one of the early band of missionaries of the London Missionary Society to Samoa in the person of the Rev. John B. Stair, who went to Samoa in company with the Rev. John Williams and his family in the first missionary voyage of the brig "Camden" in 1838, and was settled by Mr. Williams at Falelatai, Upolu.

Mr. Stair was present with Mr. Williams's family at Fasitootai when intelligence was brought to them of the murder of Mr. Williams by the natives of Erromanga, New Hebrides, and witnessed the terrible grief of the family and the Samoan natives at the reception of the sad news.

Mr. Stair, after printing a large portion of the Samoan New Testament at the mission press, returned to England in 1846 and carried through the press a revised edition of the New Testament in the Samoan language.

Mr. Stair then resigned his position with the London Missionary Society, removed with his family to Victoria, Australia and became vicar of St. Arnaud, which position he occupied for many years, till the infirmities of old age compelled his retirement.

Very recently he published a book of ethnological value of Samoan customs and mythology, "Old Samoa," which is much prized by ethnologists. He also contributed useful papers to the Polynesian Society and the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science.

The veteran missionary's death took place at St. Arnaud (Victoria) on Wednesday, the deceased gentleman being in his 83rd year.