OREWA PIONEER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 203, 28 August 1934, Page 3

OREWA PIONEER.

DEATH OF MR. C. E. GRUT. OLD AUCKLAND FAMILY. After a short illness. Mr. Charles Edward Grut, aged 77, one of Orewa's earliest eettlers, died at the home of his brother, Mr. D. A. Grut, at lib, Empire Eoad, Epsom. Arriving in Auckland in the aliip Joseph Fletcher in 18-36, Major Grut anj his family took up 160 acree at Waw«iroa (Long Water), which is now known at Chelsea. Mr. Charles Grut was bun iu Parnell a year later.

A brief account of his brother's life was given to-day by Mr. D. A. Grut, who will be 90 years of age in November. "I am healthy, my legs are fairly good, but I am just a wee bit deaf," said Mr. Grut. "My advice to you is not to attempt to live to 90." For about eight years, said Mr. Grut, his family had lived at Chelsea, and had th en moved to Orewa, where they farmed 400 acres. After the death of their parents, Mr. Charles Grut and another brother built "Orewa House," which is now a tourist resort. Jt was done gradually, wings being added as business expanded. Mr. Charles Grut lived at Orewa most of his life. Some years ngo he moved to a small holding at Silverdale, where he lived a retire:! life. Nine years ago he went to live with his brother in Epsom. in spite of their age. the two brothers worked about the garden and the house together. They built splendidly-made cages for budgerigars, and for nine years were inseparable. Long life is a family characteristic of the Gruts. The old man remembered an aunt who died in the Channel Islands at the age of 111.

Mr. Charles Grut is survived by his wife and one son, Mr. C P. Grut, of Silverdalc. There arc two grandsons. Mr. D. A. Grut the only surviving , brother.