OBITUARY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 April 1929, Page 9

OBITUARY.

PIONEER. SETTLER PASSES. AIR WALTER GOODLAND. The death of Air Walter Goodland, vliicii occurred at his Hawera resilence this morning, removed another if New Zealand’s diminishing band of lioneer settlers. Air Goodland was torn at Taunton, in Somerset, Engainl, on January 10, 1840, and was herefore 89 years ot age at the time >f his death. He received his school iducation at St. James’ Academy at faunton, and, had he wished, could lave entered the extensive business in general merchandise established by His aniily. He elected, however, to seek iis fortune in a new country, and as t young man he voyaged to New Zetland as a passenger on tlie ship Wiliam Myles, and landed at Lyttelton in die early ’sixties . Participation in tlie gold seeking venture at Gabriel’s Gully n Otago figured among his early experiences of New Zealand. Subsequently as one of the pioneer farmers ’ if the Canterbury Plains he settled in : the locality known as Sliand’s Track, j ivliere lie lived for many years. In L 389 lie was married to Aliss Emily Fantham, a daughter of Air J. Fandiam, who was then fanning on the Lincoln Road, where the Christchurch ,\. and P. show grounds are now located. The late Air A. A. Fantham, if Hawera, was a brother. After a residence of over 30 years in the South Island Air Goodland proceeded to Taranaki, where some 37 years ago he took over a farm property oh the SKeot Road at Te Rloti, subsequently selling that property anil .settling oil the corner of file B-oylan and Austin Roads near Normanby. He retired from farming in 1911, since when, with Airs Goodland, he has lived at their home on Glover Road, at Hawera. A keen student of local and general politics, Air Goodland was the chairman of the Hawera County Council for 12 years, during which time the council inaugurated a progressive loading policy which has been largely responsible for the excellent condition of the district roads to-day. During that term much discussion was created by the institution of the toll gate system which, however, served its purpose admirably for a time. Air Goodland was also an active member of the Hawera. Hospital Board and was for several years chairman of the Normanby Co-operative Dairy Company. Among other activities,'he was an enthusiastic suppoiter if the A. and P. shows, both as an active member of the association and an exhibitor. He was also known as a keen sportsman with particular file's for angling and game shooting. .Mr Goodland is survived by His wife and their five daughters —Airs T. J. Free (Normanby), Airs G. I. Harper (NYaverley), Airs E. Buchanan (Hawera), Airs J. B. Richards (Stratford), and Airs G. V. Riddle (Mountain Road). Air and Airs Goodland’s only son. “William Joseph, met his death during the South 'African War as a member of the Second New Zealand Contingent. During his long and useful life Air Goodland earned the high esteem of all who wore privileged to know him, and the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will bo extended tc the bereaved relatives.