OBITUARY.

Franklin Times, Volume XX, Issue 80, 14 July 1930, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MRS ISABELLA BRYANT.

70 YEARS IN FRANKLIN

That rapidly diminishing band of ’pioneer settlers was further depleted ■ on Friday last with the death at Kar- ■ aka of Mrs Isabella Bryant at the ripe age of 85 years. Mrs Bryant was the second daughter of the late Mr and 'Mrs Joseph Clark, who came from "Tasmania and settled at Waiau Pa, 70 years ago.’ At that time the whole "district, including Waiau, Karaka, Glenbroolc, Paerata, Drury and Pukekohe, was clothed with dense native bush and scrub, and the lot of these pioneers was an unenviable one. How- j ever they braved the elements with j grit and determination and played j their part nobly in the interests of posterity. The outbreak of the Maori . war interrupted their plans and for j some time they spent many anxious j

periods. With the cessation of hos tilities they once again set about making a home for themselves. When she came to New Zealand, 'Mrs Bryant was 15 years of age. Upon ■ marrying Mr George Bryant, Mrs Bin - ant and her husband resided for a short time in Auckland and then setf tied at Mauku and Patumahoe. About . 40 years ago they settled at Karaka taking over a farm which was in its .. original state, and by hard work they developed the land and brought it, up to its present high producing capacity. ' Mrs Bryant’s husband predeceased her 20 years ago. f Mrs Bryant is survived by three daughters—Mrs H. Benjamin (Green Lane), Mrs B. Harkness (Karaka). and ' Miss E. Bryant (Karaka, and two sons —Mrs J. R. Bryant (Karaka), and Mr C. B. Bryant (Waitoa). There are. 16 grand-children and seven great-grand-children. „ . . Mrs Bryant’s brother, Mr Robeif Clark, senr., of Waiau Pa, is las J; • surviving member of the original Clark family, who settled at W aiau Pa, be fore the outbreak of the Maori War, 70 years ago.

MRS S. J. COOPER.

AN OLD SETTLER

The death has occurred at Buckland of Mrs Sarah Jane Cooper, wife of Mr. George Cooper, at the age oi 00 years. She came to New Zealand together with her father, Who fought at Crimea, and spent the greater portion ot her life in the Auckland province. Deceased resided at Te Aroha. where her husband was engaged in farming, and Thames in the days of the gold rush. She is survived by her husband, fiy sons —Mrs James Cooper (Auckland), Mr Leslie Cooper (Tauranga). MT lh-rl Cooper (Buckland), Mr ShmO'y Cooper (Buckland), Mr George Cooper To Aroha), and five daughters—Mrs Andrews (Te .Aroha). Mrs N. Eastwood (Te Aroha), Mrs L. Whiling New Plymouth), Mrs F. Bates (Te Arena; and Mrs C. Wolfe (Te Awamuiu).’ MR JOHN CLARKE. The death occurred at the Auckland Hospital on Saturday of Mr John Clarke, of Gorrie Street, Ellerslie, amt formerly of Pukekawa, at the age ot 72 years. MRS E. EATON.

The death took place at the residence of her daughter, Airs T. Sutton, Pukekohe, on Saturday, of Airs Elizabeth Burton Eaton, relicit of the late Air Alpheaus Eaton, in her 89th year.