OBITUARY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 October 1925, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR, WILLIAM GEORGE PERRY. (From Our Mangatoki Correspondent.) William George Perry, another of the noble band of pioneers, has gone to rest at the advanced age of ninety-two. He was born at Taunton, Somersetshire, in the year 1833 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1859, arriving in the sailing ship "Queen of the Avon.” For pare of the journey he helped to man the vessel, as a portion of the crew deserted. At Wellington the passengers landed in surf boats, there being at that time ho wharf available for sailing ships, the tide sweeping up to the very base of the cliffs. Mr. Perry proceeded to Nelson, making his first home at Appleby and later at Richmond. Sometime later he purchased a block of virgin bush in the Upper Moutere district, and there for many years lie did splendid pioneering work, devoting considerable time to the work of school committees and road boards (there were no county councils at that time). In 1902 he retired from active life, coming to reside in Taranaki, first with his daughter Mrs. McDonald, at the Palmer Road, and for about fifteen years latterly with his daughter, Mrs. Gifford, of Eltliam Road, Mangatoki. His wife predeceased him by thirty .years. He reared a family of seyen children, of whom six are still living— Mrs. E. J. Gifford (Mangatoki), Mrs. A. McDonald (Inalia, Manaia), Mrs. W. Drogmuller (Nelson), Mr. T. Perry (Mangatoki), Mr. W. R. Perry (Green Lane, Auckland), Mr. G. Perry (Upper Moutere, Nelson). The eldest daughter, the late Mrs. W. Pinny, of Eltliam, died some eight years ago. His descendants include 31 grand-children and 23 grcat-grand-children. The late Mr. .Perry was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a splendid type of English gentleman, possessed of a keen intellect and a wonderful memory. His kindly bearing and genial disposition made him a warm favourite with everyone, and throughout his last.illness he endured his pain and suffering with greatest patieneA