PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mataura Ensign, 15 December 1911, Page 5

PERSONAL ITEMS.

♦ Another of Southland's pioneers passed away on Thursday at his late residence, Orepuki, in the person of j Mr Henry Hirst. The late Mr Hirst was born at Hudderslield, England, in 1828, and arrived in the colony in the early "fifties," taking up his residence on a sheep station in the Te Anau country. Some years later he sold out and carried on business for a time ! at Riverton. Among his early veil- i tures was the driving of a tnol> of i cattle from Southland to Gabriel's j Gully in August, 1 SOI. In 180(5 he; purchased the property known as Hirst-1 ' field, near Orepuki, and had resided ! there up to the time of his death. The late Mr Hirst took a keen interest in local affairs and in general politics. In 1877 he was elected a member of the Wallace County Council and had been a member of that body ever since, being its first chairman, in 1879 he defeated the lato Mr .), I'. Joyce for "Wallace at the general election and at the succeeding election he was defeated by one vote, was again successful in 1884, but suffered defeat In''Tßß7. Tiie late Mr Hirst was an ardent Cricketer and volunteer in his younger days. He leaves two sons and six daughters, the latter being married. His death is keenly regretted by a very large circle of friends. I