OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10871, 15 April 1929, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR ROB KPT LITTLE. A well-known citizen, who was closely identified with the early settlement of tile Poverty Bay district, passed away on Saturday, in Air Robert Little, aged <S4 years.

Porn at Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, Air L'ttle came out lo New Zealand in the ship Fern Glen, arriving at Napier in 1876. He there joined the service of Mr Raynor, bus proprietor, and by bis skilful horsemanship gained a reputation as a dicier over the dangerous country roads. Ho had the reputation of being one of the fust to drive a vehicle to Taupo anti Potorua over the e old Tarawera road. In 1880 Mr S. M. Wilson sent for him to come to Gisborne to act as driver in connection with the v sit of the Governor of Now Zealand. Air Little was subsequently given the management of the Albion Club stables and for many years maintained bis reputation as a driver on special trips to the Coast til’d Wairon. On one occasion, whLsi, piloting a party of officials on Native Land Court business to the Coast, they were caught by a heavy- sea at the Tapuae rocks, and were washed out of the coach, being carried ashore by the returning wave. Mr Little afterwards started in business on bis own at the. Cr.tenon stables, Lowe Street, later acquired by Air J. R. Bedstone. For many venr; pa si, Mr Lillie bad been farming at Kaiti. He had been in failing health for some time. Every sympathy will be acemded to Ids widow and family which coinin' ses Mrs Campbell, of Kaiti. Messrs William .Tames Little (Kaiti) and Robert Little (Tokomaru Bay).