THE PASSING OF A PIONEER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 September 1927, Page 8

THE PASSING OF A PIONEER.

JOHN WRIGHT GOWER, AGED 93

YEARS.

Brief mention ’.rns mode in a recent issue of the death of Mr John Wright Gower, one of the pioneer settlers of this district, which took place at Ponsonby, Auckland, on September 12th, af the advanced age of 93 years. His death removes another* link with the past and reduces the number of those stout-hearted pioneers who laid the foundations of settlement in this district. The late Mr Gower arrived in New Zealand in the year 1808 and started farming in the Nelson district. He subsequently married Miss Gapper, of Nelson. In 1872 he came to the Manawatu district to manage the Carnarvon estate of 7000 acres, and the Moutoa estate of about 8000 acres. These properties were owned by his, uncle, the late Mr L. Larkworthy, who was at that time general manager of the Bank of N,ew Zealand and the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Coy., London. The properties at that % time were in their natural condition of swamp and bush. ,In .1878 Mr Gower bought land, then standing bush and flax swamp, near Pox ton, which he converted into first-class farming land, and in 1880 he removed from Carnarvon to take up his residence in Poxton. In 1888, he purchased a block of bush land in Levin, wjhic.h lie improved and subsequently occupied. For a period of ten years from 1891 he resided at Levin, when he retired from active life and removed to Hastings, where he spent some 15 years, finally settling in Auckland. When resident in this district, the late Mr Gower took an interest in public affairs, and was one of the first members and subsequently chairman of the Manawatu County Council. He was also a member of the Poxton Borough Council when first constituted and later Mayor. Among other public activities he was associated with the Methodist Church. He was esteemed throughout the countryside, not only as a sterling settler, but as a Christian gentleman. His wife predeceased him about 30 years ago. He leaves a family of four daughters (Mesdam.es Hammond, Renwick and Robertson, of Auckland, and Powles, Lower Hutt), and three sons, Messrs B. G. Gower (Poxton), G. Gower (Auckland), and J. A. Gower (Taupiri) to mourn their loss. The interment took place in Auckland. HAMUERA-WHATUITI, AGED 90 YEARS. There passed away at Matakarapa pah, Poxton, on Sunday (says the Herald), a well-known Maori in the person of Hamuera Whatuiti (better known locally as “Sam”)] at the age of 90 years. Hamuera was born in Poxton at a spot near the Post Office hotel and was educated at Otaki. He was a member of the Ngati Raukawa tribe. As a youth he was confirmed by the late Bishop Hadficld and became a licensed lay reader and conducted services among his people in the church across the river. Deceased was a keen Bible student and his life was moulded on Christian principles and his kindly and cheerful manner made him a favourite with both pakeha and Maori people. Among his own people his advice and guidance was sought in settling- minor differences. His wife predeceased him many years ago and he left no issue. His relatives are resident at Otaki. Some time ago when he knew his end was not far off, he selected a spot at Matakarapa, where his remains were to be interred. His wishes in this respect are to be carried out and the funeral took place to-day.