PERSONAL.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 16, 20 January 1910, Page 7

PERSONAL.

Mr William Bertram White died at Auckland on Sunday night, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Deceased was the son of Captain Mark White, R.N., and was born at St. Servon, France, in 1821. He came out to New Zealand in the early days, landing at Wellington as far back as 1842. Like most of the pioneer settlers, Mr White saw service during the Maori War, and was present at the capture by the British of the famous chief Rauparaha. In 1848 Mr White received orders to proceed to Mangonui, where he held the positions of resident magistrate and Government Commissioner for many years, and was subsequently appointed a Judge of the Native Lands Coui't, a position of which he was peculiarly well fitted, as he was an accomplished Maori scholar, and had great personal influence with the natives. Mr White remained at Mangonui until failing eyesight compelled him to resign his position. As far back as 1848 Mr White, in company with Mr Ligar, the then SurveyorGeneral, performed the journey from Auckland to AVellington on foot, via the West Coast. They had a party of four Maoris to carry their luggage.