DEATH AT 95

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 11

DEATH AT 95

FORMER PRISON OFFICER

A veteran resident of Auckland, Mr. George Irvine Martin, died at his home in Salisbury Koad, Mount Albert, last night, aged 95, states today's "New Zealand Herald."

Mr. Martin was born in Ireland and arrived at Auckland in 1862 as a youth of 19, in the ship Shalimar. On the outbreak of the Waikato War in the following year he joined the militia and served in the neighbourhood of Auckland and in the Howick district. When the Westland diggings were opened, Mr. Martin was drawn south by the lure of gold. Leaving Westland when the field began to offer less to the efforts of the individual digger, he returned to Auckland and worked for some time at Thames, but while still a young man decided to abandon mining and entered the Government service as a warder in the old Auckland gaol at the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets. Transferred to the Auckland prison, he remained there until his retirement, rising to the rank of principal warder.

Mr. Martin devoted his latter years to the care of his garden. He enjoyed remarkably good health and was active and keenly interested in current events until about a week before his death. He is survived by two sons and three daughters. There are nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.