OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21977, 29 December 1936, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS MARGARET PROUSE The death occurred recently of Mrs Margaret Prouse at the age of 95, widow of Mr Thomas Prouse, of Cust. Mrs Prouse was, at her death, possibly the oldest person native of New Zealand, for she was born at Petone on December 19, 1841. Her parents, Mr and Mrs D. Dick, came to Wellington in the ship Bengal Merchant, in 1840, and settled in the Wainui-o-mata district, where Mrs Prouse spent most of her girlhood. After her marriage to Mr Prouse they shifted to Cust in 1868, and there Mr Prouse died in 1908. For the last 28 years Mrs Prouse had lived with her youngest daughter, Mrs C. Gaffney, at Rolleston. During the Great War she was a devoted worker, for the Red Cross, and was held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends.

Mrs Prouse leaves a family of Ave daughters, Mesdames T. Evans (Fernside), J. Burt (Southbridge), F. Bissett (Springston), J. Slower (Bay of Plenty), and C. Gaffney (Rolleston). Two sons and one daughter predeceased her. There are also 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. The funeral took place to the CustWest Eyreton cemetery, the services at the house and at the graveside being taken by the Rev. G. Mcßae. of Lincoln. The pall-bearers were Messrs N. Bissett, G. Burt (grandsons), J. Smith, and D. Cree.

Wreaths were sent by the following: Mrs T. Evans, Mr and Mrs W. Evans, Mr and Mrs J. Evans and family, Mr and Mrs J. Burt, Rene, Dolly, Edna, Gordon; Mr and Mrs F. Bissett; Adelaide, Norman, Roy, and Wallie; Mr and Mrs J. Sloper and Alma (Bay of Plenty); Mr and Mrs C. Gaffney; Mrs King; Mrs D. Prouse and family; Mrs Collier, Jean and Rich; Mrs Watkinson; Mr and Mrs Green; Mr and Mrs Gartery and family; Mr and Mrs Kerr; Mr and Mrs Lang and George; Mr and Mrs Finnigan; Mr and Mrs N. Bates; Mr and Mrs H. Benies; Mr and Mrs G. L. Pearson; Mr and Mrs G. Crysell; Mr and Mrs H. S. Pearson; Mr and Mrs John Miles; Mrs Howart and family; the Hamilton family; Mr and Mrs J. G. Milne and family; Mr and Mrs D. Cree; Mr and Mrs Brittliff; Mr Harris; Mr Crossin; Mrs Nelson; Mr Smith and Jim (Reefton); Mrs Allison and daughters; Mr and Mrs Collins. BLENHEIM NEWS Mr and Mrs C. W. Parker and family are spending the holidays at their summer residence. Queen Charlotte Sound. Others spending a holiday in the Sound are Mr and Mrs E. J. Harvey and family, Mr and Mrs G. K. Stocker, Mr and Mrs E. Salmond and family (Wellington), Mrs R. G. Scott, and Mr and Mrs B. Trolove (Parikawa), and Mr and Mrs G. M. Spence. Mrs Stephenson-Smith is visiting her sister, Mrs Coleman, Gisborne. Mrs E. W. Rose has returned from a visit to Wellington. Mrs Lewis Clouston . has returned from a visit to Hawke's Bay. Mrs S. T. Evatt has returned from a visit to Wellington. Mrs T. Renwick (Dumgree) is visiting Wellington. Mrs E. Reid is staying with her mother, Mrs T. Davies (Ngaio Downs).

Mrs H. Y. Monro (Bankhouse) is visiting her sister. Mrs H. Redwood (Okoha).

Mrs K. Hunter-Clarke (Wellington), who is shortly leaving for England, spent a few days with her sister, Mrs W. E. Redman (Spring Creek). Mrs T. L. Woods and Miss Woods, who have been some months in' Melbourne, have returned home. Mrs A. J. Maclaine has returned from a visit to Wellington. Miss Zoe Clouston is visiting Picton. Mrs H. E. Burden is visiting Wellington. Miss L. Houlker (Nelson) is the guest of Mrs J. S. Thompson ("The Pines"). Miss M. Anderson is visiting Picton. Mr and Mrs C. T. Smith are visiting Rangiora. Miss C. Rayner, who has been spending some months in Wellington, has returned home. Miss L. Wolferstan (New Plymouth) is staying with her sister, Mrs J. B. Barnett (Tua Marina). SURPRISE PARTY A surprise party visited the home" of Mr and Mrs H. T. Chapman, Puaha, Little River, who were recently married. Songs were sung by Messrs R. Lee, L. Humphries, J. Reed, and G. Humphries. Mr A. Dawber spoke on behalf of the Banks Peninsula Collie Dog Club, and Mr R. Lee on behalf of the Sports Club and Basketball Club. Mr T. Mould, for the guests, presented Mr and Mrs Chapman with a rose bowl. Mr and Mrs Chapman suitably responded. Those present were Mr and Mrs G. Pocock, Mr and Mrs A. Dawber, Mr and Mrs W. Mould, Mesdames E. E. Patten, A. Mould. A. Radford, Misses Myrtle Webster. Gwen Reed, Molly Harty, Rita McQueen, Maud Mould, Melva Webster, Edie Mould, Eileen Rae, Messrs L. Humphries, J. Reed, G. Humphries, W. Rout, jun., B. Reed, N. Pidgeon, R. Lee, H. Stackhouse, A. Adams, T. Mould, and J. Louden. DANCE AT PREBBLETON For a dance held in the Prebbleton Hall, under the auspices of the Public Domain Board, the hall was crowded with visitors from Christchurch and from country centres. Music was played by Kinsman's band. A lucky spot dance was won by Mrs J. T. Gallagher and Mr F. A. "Tutton and the Monte Carlo by Mr D. Port and partner. Extra dances were played by Miss Violet Kolkman and Mr H. Prebble was master of ceremonies. Prize winners in the.card room were Mrs L. Gallagher, Mrs Hoff, Mr W. Downey, and Mr J. Hill. Those present included Mesdames G. Sutherland, J. Cunneen, L. Cunneen (Wellington), G. Tod, A. Gallagher, G. Hastie, G. Simpson, R. Wheeler, J. T. Gallagher, J. O'Neill. W. Downey, H. Prebble, T. Smith, L. Gallagher, J. Smith, J. Hartnell, Warren, J. Dick, T. Harding, Mallett, E. Inwood, J. Giles, W. Hands, C. Hands, A. Pimm, Koff, D. Hamilton, Warren, Misses Carmel Smith, Mavis Smith, Betty James, Nancy Gallagher, Leah Drayton, Blanche McGarry, Ngarita Sunckell, Violet Kolkman, Kathleen Henry, Dulcie Meale, Dulcie Brennan, Jean Weir, Florence Warren, Kathleen Tod, Aileen Gallagher, Florence Warren, Weir, Millicent Tod, Rhona Tod, Ngarita Kenworthy, Gladys Baker, Louie Baker, Joan Pimm, Joyce Hoff, Beryl |Hancox, Elizabeth Anderson, Linda Anderson, Renee Gallagher, Elsie Smalley, and C. Cook. Are you thinking of selling your business. The quickest route between Buyer and Seller is through "The Press" Classified Advertisements—l2 [words Is, 3 insertions 2s 6d. 'Phone 33-358. —6