OBITUARY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 12 January 1925, Page 4

OBITUARY

HON. O. SAMUEL. By the death last night of the Hon. Oliver Samuel. H. 0., M.L.C., of New Plymouth, the New Zealand legal profession loses another ol its distinguished representatives. The late Mr. Samuel, who, at the time of his death was 76 years ot age, was born at St. Heliers, Jersey, and arrived in New Zealand with his parents at tlie age of 16 years. He received his early education at Bearuswortlr’s vsehool, New Plymouth, anti inter was at Nelson College, and after the Crown Lands Department and the Deeds Registry Office, was successful on the Thames' and Coromandel gold fields. In. 1873 he entered the legal profession, and about five years later lie commenced practice in New Plymouth. While acting as solicitor to the New Plymouth Harbour Board, he was responsible for about £20,000 being recovered from the sinking fund commissioners, which money was :r. building the Motorua- wharf. As a barrister and a solicitor, he was an outstanding success, as indeed he was in the field of politics, he represented New Plymouth from 1884 to 1890. In 1907, 4 years after retiring from the Bar, he accepted a. seat on a Legislative Council, and at the time of his death was chairman of committees, and had distinguished himself as a notable legislator. Deceased is survived by his widow, who is a daughter of the late Mr. F. A. Carrington, who is recognised as the father of Taranaki.

MRS. SARAH WATSON. The death of Mrs Sarah Watson, recognised as the oldest Taranaki pioneer, occurred at New Plymouth early yesterday morning. Deceased was in her ninty-ninthi year, and was the last of the adult pioneers who founded New Plymouth; in the years 1841-2-8. Probably she is the last of the old pioneers who settled at Nelson, Wellington and New Plymouth, under the auspices of the New Zealand Company. Born in Somersetshire in 1826, she arrived in New Plymouth when 16 years of age with her uncle and aunt. Mr. and Mrs.i John Smith, in the ship Timandra. Later she married Mr. John Watson, first mate of the ship Amelia Thomson, that gentleman then leaving the high seas and. carrying out duties of harhour-master at New Plymouth, until the early sixties when he retired. Mrs. Watson remained in New Plymouth. risrht through the critical times of the Maori War. seeking on occasions the shelter of the barracks on Marsland Hill, but never moving bevond sight of her home. Throughout her long life she enjoyed good health and only 10 days ago contracted a cold which resulted in her death. Deceased is survived bv a daughter. Mrs. W. D. "Webster of New Plymouth, and a son, Mr. Fred Watson, also of New Plymouth.