OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1932, Page 3

OBITUARY.

LADY STRINGER. Lady Stringer, wife of Sir Walter Stringer, died at her home in Hall's Avenue, Remuera, yesterday, aged 70 years, after a short illness. On June 1 -he and Sir Walter celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding. Lady Stringer was born in Dunedin, where she spent her early life. She was married to Sir Walter Stringer when he was a partner in the legal linn of Duncan, Cottrill and Stringer, of Christchureh, and nhe came to Auckland when he was appointed senior resident judge here. Lady Stringer, both in Auckland and Cliristcfcurch, was interested in a number of charitable organisations, and particularly those dealing with the welfare of children. She was generous in her donations to deserving objects. Lady Stringer was connected with the Victoria ancl the Navy Leagues. She is survived by her husband and the following children: —Mr. Cyril Stringer and Dr. Bruce Stringer, both of Christchureh, and Mr. Trevor Stringer, of Matamata. MR. FREDERICK LUCAS. A veteran of the Maori War, Mr. Frederick Lucas, died on June 10, aged 77 yea re. He was one of the early eetUere at Pukckohe, and formerly belonged to the Waiuku Cavalry. He was engaged in skinnishea with the Maorie in the bush at Pukekohe East during the Waikato War. Mr. Lucas came to New Zealand with his parents from the Cape of Good Hope in 1864, the fami! settling at Pukckohe. Mr. F. Luca* eei land of his own at Puni 06 years iigo, where lie had lived ever since. He is survived by Mrs. Lucas, five daughters and three sons. There are also 23 grandchildren. MR. ANDREW DOW. Mr. Andrew Dow, who has died at Clovedon, had lived his whole life on the farm where he was born 72 years ago. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Dow, who came from Scotland in 1553, were among the pioneer settlers at C'levedon. He is survived by Mrs. Dow and the following children:—Messrs. John, Alex and George Dow, of Clevcdon, Mr. A. J. Dow, of Warkworth, and Mr. Hugh Dow, of Montreal, and Mrs. A. F. McCallum, of Auckland, Mrs. J. McPherson and Miss Dow, of Clevcdon.

MRS. SELINA MERINGTON. Mrs. Selina Merington died at her home at Karaka on June S, at the age of 74 years. A daughter of Mr. Joseph Smith, Mrs. Merington was born in Essex and came to New Zealand with her parents in the full-rigged ship Dilharec in 1875. The family had intended to sail by the emigrant ship Cospatrick, which was destroyed by fire on the voyage with appalling loss of life, but were fortunate enough to miss the tender. The voyage in the Dilharee, which was commanded by Captain K. McNeilly, occupied 105 days, a lot of rough, weather being encountered. During the trip the passengers received a scare through an outbreak of fire, which was speedily suppressed. Soon after landing in Auckland, Mr. Smith took up land in Clifton Road, Parnell. Mrs. Merington's first husband was Mr. James Snelgar, who died 32 years ago. She is survived by her second husband, Mr. Richard Merington. The late Mrs. Merington had five children by her first marriage, four of whom are now living, Messrs. Percy, Fred, and. John Snelgar, and Mrs. V. Farrar. There are six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The late Mrs. Merington was buried at Drury.

MRS. MARGARET HAMMOND. An old resident of the Auckland district, Mrs. Margaret Hammond, wife of Mr. Alexander Hammond, one of the pioneers of Waiuku, died on June 8, aged 72 years. She was born in Capetown, and arrived in New Zealand with her parents when she was only three years of age. The family settled at Pukekohe, where she was married to Mr. Hammond 54 years ago. At first they lived at Whiriwhiri, then moved to Waiuku, and finally went to Otaua 30 years ago, settling on virgin land. Mrs. Hammond leaves three sons, six daughters, 17 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

NORTHERN PIONEER,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHAKTGAREI, Saturday, The fmieral took place this morning of Mrs-. Emma Evans, one of the pioneers of the Mareretu district, who passed away at the age of 89 years. Mrs. Evans, a Welsh woman, ca.roe -to New Zealand with her husband and young family. They took up a block of 300 acres of virgin bush, among the first opened up Mareretu. Death occurred at the. residence of a daughter, Mrs. Dave McOarroll, Manso Street, Whangarei. The other da-iighters arc: Mcsdaines Goodall, Dhvnis Avenue, Whangarei; George Smith, Paparoa; T. Litherland, Whaliitiri; and Win. "Redfern. Opua. Of the sons, Ernest and Daniel are living at Paparoa, and Samuel and John, are farming south of Auckland.

REV. J. H. HAWKES. The death occurred at Remucra of one of the earliest headmasters of the Whangarei High School, the Rev. J. H. ITawkes, M.A., aged S9. The Rev. Mr. Hawkes followed the first head, Mr. W. H. O. Smeaton, and was in charge from November 24, ISB3, to December 24, 1884, when the school was closed for a period owing to lack of funds. Mr. Hawkes graduated at Dublin University and arrived in New Zealand over 50 years ago. Shortly after his arrival he took orders in the Church of England. For a time he had charge of the historic Russell Church, and later became parish priest of Kamo and the outlying areas. Upon the resignation of Mr. W. H. 0. Smeaton, first headmaster of the Whangarei High School, Mr. Hawkes was appointed to take charge. While the school was closed Mr. Hawkes carried it on as a private concern for a period. He continued his church work at Kamo unt.il his resignation in 1013. Since then he has lived in retirement at Heme Bay and at Orakci Road, Remuera. He was predeceased nine years ago by his wite. Of a family of tcii, nine arc living. They arc: Captain J. H. Hawkes, formerly with the New Zealand Shipping Cui»pany, now retired in Gisbonie; Mr. *. ■£■ Hawkes, -Mount Wellington Road, AueK home at Heme Bay.