OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 10, 7 October 1936, Page 16

OBITUARY

Mr. Francis Hodson The death occurred at Wanganui yesterday of Mr. Francis Hodson, aged 91, one of the early Taranaki pioneers and a resident esteemed highly throughout the Wanganui district, states a “Dominion” Special Service message.

He was born at Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and left England nearly 62 years ago in the sailing vessel Collingwood He was accompanied by his wife and four children. An epidemic of scarlet fever breaking out on board the ship, one of his children died. There were 21 deaths on board, and four more occurred at Somes Island during quarantine. The late Mr. Hodson, when he left Wellington, went to Waitara and then to the Oakura township, and secured a bush section of 50 acres about two miles up the Pitone Road. There were no neighbours within a mile, and his family was practically isolated. He felled three acres of bush as a clearing upon which to build a house, the timber being carted from New Plymouth. He also took up bush-felling, roadmaking and contracting to keep his farm going.

The life was hard. The family made butter, placing it in a keg to be rolled down the road to the main road at the top of Ketekara Hill, from where it was taken to New Plymouth and sold at fourpence per pound. After some years Mr. Hodson's holding increased, and when he left there 20 years ago he ow’ned 255 acres and milked 45 cows.

Mr. Hodson saw service during the Pariliaka trouble, and was an experienced volunteer. When he sold his farm he retired to New Plymouth and was for some years a member of the West End Bowling Club. He was over 70 years of age when he made a trip to England to see his father, who was then 93, but the latter died a few days before his son arrived. His wife died

three years ago. but there is a total of 112 descendants at present living—--12 children, 70 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Ada Speight Following a lengthy illness, the death of Mrs. Ada Speight, wife of Mr. Harry A. Speight, of Masterton, occurred at the Greytown Hospital yesterday morning, states a “Dominion” special service message. The late Mrs. ■ Speight was born iu Yorkshire, England, 60 years ago, and came to New Zealand with her husband 23 years ago. She had. been a resident of Masterton for 12 years. She is survived by her husband, a sister, Mrs. U. ( Ursula, Feilding, ami a brother, Mr. Joseph Shepherd, Dargaville. Mr. Charles Gray The death occurred last evening at the age of 76 of Mr. Charles Gray, whose musical activities in Inverpargill covered fifty years of unbroken service, reports a Press Association telegram. Mr. Gray was active in assisting local and visiting performers, and his studio was a centre for those interested in music. He was an authority on orchestral and choral work and was organist at St. John’s Anglican Church for many years. He was also a successful conductor. Mrs. Mary Thorby The death of Mrs. Mary Thorby, a well-known resident of Masterton, occurred in the Masterton Hospital on Monday morning, states a “Dominion” special service message. The late Mrs. Thorby was born in London in 1851, and came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Rakaia in 1880, as governess to the children of Mr. Cave (solicitor). She first settled in Wellington, and remained there many years before shifting to Auckland, where she married the late Mr. Henry Edmond Thorby. Mrs. Thorby lived for many years at Hastwells, where, in company with her husband, she experienced the hardships of.

the rough pioneer days of bush settlement. She was always a keen church worker, and. for a considerable number of years was a Sunday school teacher and organist at St. Colombo Church. Mangamahoe. She is survived by an adult family consisting of Mr. Arthur Thorby, Hastwells; Mesdames A. T. Jackson, Masterton; T. G. Reading, Carterton; A. V. Madsen, Hastwells: and R. S. Smart, Makuri. There are ten grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. Her husband and a son predeceased her many years ago.