LOSS TO THE BAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4168, 3 August 1949, Page 10

LOSS TO THE BAY

DEATH OF MRS C. WATTS / PIONEER OF WHITIANGA The death occurred recently at Mercury Bay Hospital of Mrs Catherine Watts of Whitianga. Mrs Watts was born at Cape Brett Island in 1864 and later lived in Boston and then in Nova Scotia, coming to New Zealand in 1887. On arrival in New Zealand Mrs Watts settled in Whitianga. There she made her home for the rest of her long life. For over 45 years Mrs Watts worked to raise funds for the Mereary Bay hospital, which was maintained by public subscription until it was taken over by the Thames Hospital Board in 1938. For this work she was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935:

Mrs Watts was one of the, original members of the Soldiers Memorial Park Committee and in recent times she had a very fine roll of honour made and put up in the post office at Whitianga. The roll contained the names of the men who died in the first world war and another roll was being prepared upon which to list the names of those who died in the second world war.

Until a few years ago Mrs Wattslived and worked bn a farm until her sight failed her. Although she was ill for but a few months before her death Mrs Watts’ memory never failed and she took a very keen interest in all that went on round about ■her.

Mrs Watts is survived by her daughter, Mrs H. T. Robinson, of Whitianga, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.