OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10509, 13 February 1928, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MRS ’WM.- OATES, SENE.. OF TOKOMARU BAY.

GLOOM CAST OVER EAST COAST.

TOUCHING TRIBUTES BY THE

NATIVES.

(Special to the Times.; TOKOMARU BAY, Feb. 12. When it became known yesterday morning that Mrs Wm. Oates, senr., had passed away, evidence of the sorrow of all classes soon became widespread and the bereaved husband and family were ~0011 inundated with messages of deep sympathy from near and far.

The late Mrs Oates, who \ i s ■ one of the “Grand Old Ladies” of the East Coast, had the misfortune to be afflicted with a severe filness about the middle of November, but greatly to the delight of her relatives and many friends, she made' steady progress towards recovery. About Christmas time she was able to be up and about again and since then had been able again to conduct the management of her household and entertain her numerous callers. Even on Friday evening she had had seve--ral friends to see her and, later, she had retired in happy spirits; When she rose yesterday morning, she was, as usual, bright and cheerful and displayed no trace of being indisposed. Mr Oates-, it seems, was engaged in the yard when he suggested to Mrs Oates that it would assist him if he had a tea towel, and Mrs Oates said that she would go into the house for one. She faltered and placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder, but before Air Oates bad a chance to support his wife she fell to the ground. Death had been tragically sudden. Immediately news ol the distressing fatality became known liags- were flown at hall-mast on all the business premises m the township.

Airs Oates, wiiose maiden name was Miss Judith Ball, was born at Ballarat, in Victoria. Her father was a member of the Militia sent from Australia to New Zealand during the Maori troubles in the 00’s. With her mother Airs Oates hv'eu with the troops under canvas ut Tauranga aud, as a consequence, she was able to recount many stirring incidents that occurred in those restless times. Her marriage to Mr Oates took place at Opotiki in 1885 and the newly married couple then made their home at Tokomaru Bay, landing at Wainui in a surf boat. Air Oates became one of the pioneer business puopio of the East Coast, and his life’s partner became as a mother to very many of the families, European and Native alike, in the district. The Natives, in particular, made a habit of going to her for help in the case of sickness in their families, and a great love for her arose amongst them on all parts of the Coast. Whenever and wherever a helping hand was needed, Mrs Oates was to be found. Her bountiful hospitality will, too, be a pleasant memory to a great many' visitors’ from Poverty Bay, as well as to hundreds of Coast residents. By her death Air Oates loses a most devoted wife and the familv a most loving mother.

From an early hour on Saturday, representatives of the s r ative people, as well as European residents, began to call at the home aud by nightfall all the Native famiues in and around the Bay had extended to Mr Oates and liis family evidence of their deep grief. This morning representatives of Native families residing farther afield presented their tokens ol love and affection for the deceased lady. In the afternoon, the Rev. J. Anderson conducted a service in the Anglican Church, which was crowded with mourners, and. later, he performed the last s<id rites at the grave-side. Air A uderson referred to the sad blow which Air Oates, the family and th. whole district had sustained by the death of Airs Oates: pointed out that her life :cas an inspiration to the youngei generation; and said he knew the see rowing relatives could not fail to gain muen comfort and consolation in connection with their irreparable loss by such a widespread display amongst all classes of very Jeep respect and sympathy. Subsequently, on behalf of the Native residents, Air Hyland addressed the numerous mourners, who included some who had journeyed from Gisborne and others who reside in the northern portion of the Coast. Mr ■ Hyland feelingly'said that it was impossible for the Natives to display in public the full depth of their grief, but, if Air Gates and his family would visit their homes, they would realise the Maoris had lost a dear friend by the death of Airs Oates. As a token of respect the Natives forwarded a hue piu piu mat, which was placed on the casket, whilst many beautiful floral,tributes from all portions of the East Coast were placed on the grave. There are left to mourn their great loss Air William Oates, . senr., two daughters, Airs P. J. McHattie, of Devonport, Auckland, and Aliss Connie Oates, of Tokomaru Bay, and five sons (who all reside in the township), Alessrs William (junior), George, Joseph, Hedley and Norman Oates. To them all widespread sympathy will be extended.