OBITUARY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 September 1935, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR SIDNEY HIRST. In tlio passing of Mr S. Hirst, whose death occurred at the age of 86 years, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs J. Frew, Ohau, on Wednesday, yet another figure of the colourful pioneering days lias been lost. 'The late Mr Hirst, was born at Karori in 1840. At the age of 16 years he tnrvellcd on foot from Wellington to Bulls, where after being employed i« farming pursuits for several years ho took, up carting with a bullock team, hauling the timber from Foilding for the first bridge across the Rangitikei River. He also drove the .first bullock team through the Manawatu Gorge.

Borne years later he commenced farming at Sandon, where he married Miss Isabella Stent, of Thermion Flats, Wellington. He then removed to/ the Pohangina Valley, where he operated a further carrying service in addition to farming pursuits, and afterwards took uip his residence in Taranaki, remaining there until 1014, when he again removed to the King Country. In addition to his widow, the deceased gentleman is survived by four sons, Messrs J. Hirst (Inglewood), J. Hirst (Stratford), P. Hirst (North Auckland) and 11. Hirst (Morrinsville), and four daughters, Mesdarncs Hooper (Palmerston N.), J. Frew (Ohau), Lethbridge (Levin), and Warn (Wanganui). There are in addition 42 grandchildren and 14 great-grand-children. The funeral took place at the Levin Cemetery yeslerdaiy, (being /preceded by a service conducted at Mrs Frew’s residence by Rev. Dr. 1. W. Fraser, who also officiated at the graveside. The duties o'f pall-bearers were fulfilled by six grandsons of the deceased, Messrs J. W. Hooper, F. Lethbridge, B. Warn, W. Hooper, B. Frew and H. Frew. The number of beautiful floral tributes, together with the large following of mourners, gave eloquent testimony to the tribute paid to the respect and mem cry' of the deceased gentleman.

Foil owing' the service, a tribute from the Maoris of the neighbourhood was read by Air P. 'R. Kuiti, who, in the course of his remarks to the bereaved relatives and family expressed 1o ‘.hem the deepest sympathy and he ir; frit regrets of those o'n whose belie if he was speaking, at the passing of a tine and upstanding citizen.