OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 221, 19 September 1927, Page 17

OBITUARY.

DIES AGED NINETY-THREE.

SAILOR, FARMER, BUSHFELLER

CLEARED GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

The death at the age of ninety-three years of Mr. John Boles Godkin occurred at his home, Hasbury Avenue, on September 16. This removes one of the pioneers of Auckland, as Mr. Godkin was engaged by the Government clearing tinbush off the Great South Road when the war broke out in the Waikato. This was necessary to enable the road to be formed so that supplies could be forwarded to the troops.

Mr. Godkin was horn at Cork, Ireland, his father being a tide surveyor at Bristol. When a lad, Mr. Godwin went to sea, and the age of 21 arrived in New Zealand with a mate's certificate. He left his ship at Auckland and went to Whangarei, where he was employed for some time by Mr. Robert Dent, saik ing a schooner between that place an* Auckland. Mr. Godkin next took up land at Pukekohe, where his experience in felling bush to clear his farm later caused him to be employed by the Government when the war broke out in the Waikato to clear timber off the tracks where the roads werar to be made to facilitate transit by the commissariat department. He was in charge of 100 men, and drew the pay of a major. The work was risky, as the men always carried arms while at work. This was an order by the Government, due to the fact that on one occasion when the arms of a working praty had been stacked the Maoris made a sudden attack and secured the muskets. Mr. Godkin claimed to have been the first European to fell bush in the Auckland Province. After the war ended, Mr. .Godkin resumed farming at Pukekohe, but in 1880 moved to Taranaki, where he lived for many years. He was a director erf the freezing works at Taranaki, and helped to form the co-operative dairy in that province. He was at various times a member of the New Plymouth Harbour Board and the Hawera County Council. About 17 years ago Mr. Godkin retired from farming and travelled over the world until two years ago. Returning to Auckland he has since lived at Hasburv Avenue. He retained, his mental and physical powers until two months ago, when his health began to fail. His eyesight was so good that he could read the newspaper in the day time without the aid of glasses. Mrs. Godkin died about sevcij years ago. The following children survive: Mr. James Godkin, of Auckland, Messrs. John, William and Thomas Godkin, of Taranaki, Mrs. J. Archer, of Rotorua, and Mrs. G. Bowers, of Green Lane, Auckland. The interment will be private.

MR. G. S. SEIVER.

SIXTY-EIGHT YEARS COLONIST.

The death occurred on September 11, at a private hospital in Auckland, of Mr. George Samuel Seiver, aged 83 years. He came to New Zealand from London, when a lad of 1(5 years. He was for the first few years engaged running a cutter between Auckland, Russell, and other Northern ports. When •the Thames goldfields opened he tried his luck digging, but later was bushcontracting at Kaeo and Whanparoa for the Auckland, and afterwards the Kauri Timber Companies. Having made money at contracting, Mr. Seiver took up a farm, which also proved a success.

Mr. Seiver was interested in racing, and owned and bred several well-known horses. He also took a keen interest in the welfare of the district in which he lived, having been a member of the Wliangaroa Council, the Licensing Committee, and the School Committee. For the last nine years Mr. Seiver has lived in retirement. He was predeceased by his wife.

MR. FRED INGER.

Mr. Fred Inger, who died at Devonport recently, belonged to a very old New Zealand family, his father beinf Mr. Thomas Inger, of Port Albert, who is still hale and hearty, while only a year or two off the century. The old gentleman still comes to town on special occasions, and was an interested visitor to Auckland when the Duke and the Duchess of York were here. He is survived by a wife and family, some of whom are closely connected with Salvation Army work in Devonport. '

MRS. JESSIE WRIGHT.

The death took place in Whangarei Hospital last night, at the age of 65, of Mrs. Jessie Wright, widow of the late Mr. John Wright, who died in the same institution eleven months ago. Deeeased and her husband were early pioneers of Maungakaramea district, where t'hey reared a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. One son was killed tin action in France. Sixteen years ago the family left Maungakaramea and settled in Ruakaka, and finally they made their home at Springs Flat, Kamo.

MR. THOMAS YOUNG.

An old colonist, Mr. Thomas Young, died in the Waikato 'Hospital, aged 84 years. He was a native of Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to Dunedin by an' 800-ton sailing vessel 65 years ago. He settled first at Dunedin, and was gold-digging on several fields. After that he was a builder, and finally went farming in the Mataura district. He has for the last few years lived at Hamilton. Deceased is sur.vived by his wife and the following children:—Mr. T. Younp, of Te Poi, Head am es Cresswell, of Kukuhia, and Wilson, of Tirau.