OBITUARY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 February 1926, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MRS a: DONNELLY.» ;> - One of the oldest residents: of South Taranaki passed to her rest early this morning in the, person of Mrs A. Donnelly, of Hawera, -at the great age of 93 years. Mrs Donnelly had- been over 70 years a resident of New Zealand, and had endured all the of the early days of pioneering. Coming from America with her' husband about 1851, she landed first in Melbourne and, after two years on the Australian goldfields, they were attracted-by the reports of the "gold finds on" the . West Coast of New Zealand, and came over in 1853, landing in - Woffington, and after a short stay going, on. -to Hokitika. They experienced the stress and the vicissitudes- of life on the goldfields for a number' of years, and about- 1880 came to the North Island, landing in W all ganui, and thence coming to Patea. "During those days Mr Donnelly used often to drive through to Opunake over the rough, unformed roads. After three years .in ,i Patea, they, settled In Hawera, where Mr Donnelly died in 1904. Since that time Mrs Donnelly had lived in. retirement with her daughter. In an accident seven years ago she fell and broke her hip, and had been confined to bed ever since. Right to the last, however, her mind was clear and her memory excellent, and she could tell great stories of the experiences of "the early days in Australia and New Zealand. , . There are three daughters living, Mrs 1 G. Archer (New Plymouth), Mrs J. Fraser (Weber), and Miss E. Donnelly (Hawera), and two sons, Messrs P. T. Donnelly (Hawera) and W. Donnelly (Palmerston North). With _them all will be felt deep sympathy in their time of sorrow. MR WM. HODDLE. The death occurred late yesterday afternoon of Mr William Charles Hoddle, of Albion street, Hawera, after a lingering illness. Although suffering from ill-health for a considerable time, Mr Hoddle, with a cheerful optimism that was characteristic of him, remained bright and determined until. the last. ....... .--A

Born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, Mr Hoddle came to New Zealand 13 years ago. He settled in Hawera, working as. a carpenter, but after three years went to Napier. He remained there for only 12 months, returning to Hawera, after a trio to the Old Country, to manage ’ a .lousiness for Mr Percy Pratt. In 1918" he took over the Taranaki Tea’ Rooms, above Adamson and Robb’s shop, and, after building up a successful business, moved into larger premises across the street. 111-health,' 1 however, was the cause of his retirement from business about eight months ago, and latterly he had been confined to his bed.

Deceased was a generous-hearted citizen, and was prominently, connected with the Hawera Municinal Band Committee and the Hawera* Operatic Society* Be was 41 years of ..age. and leaves a widow and a daughter to mourn their loss. ' r MR KIR.KBY. Another very old resident died at the Old People’s- Home last night—Mr Kirkby, who years ago was settled at Okaiawa, where he was employed on the farm of Mr Arch. Sutherland. He had reached the great age of 86 years, and had been very feeble for soihe time.