DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 113, 16 May 1906, Page 3

DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER.

/Mr William Hounsell, one of the pioneers of this district (snys the " Nelson Colonist " of Tuesday last), passed away at his residence, The Wood, on Monday morning, at the ripe old age of 81 years, death being accelerated by a self-inflicted wound in the throat. Deceased was born at Broadlands, near Battle, in Sussex, in 1525, and arrived at Nelson in the ship Mary Ann in 1542. He was a member of the first Volunteer corps formed in Nelson in 1845. For some years Mr Hounsell worked for the New Zealand Company, and was for eight years employed at Messrs Fell and Seymour's store. He then went in for hop-grow-ing for the late Mr Harley, but during the last 20 years ho has followed th j occupation of a gardener. The deceased had been ailing for some tinia past, and on Monday evening of last week, about nine o'clock, arose from his bed and went outside, where he was found by his wife a few minutes later bleeding from a wound in the throat, and a hedge knife lying alongside of him. For some days deceased showed signs o.f improvement, but he passed away yesterday morning from shock. Deceased, who was well respected by those with whom he was acquainted, leaves a widow and grownup family of six sons and four daughters (Messrs Win. Hounsell, of Blenheim ; Mr Arthur Hounsell, of Springlands; Mr John Hounsell, of Blen-I heim ; Mr Robert Hounsell, of Wanganui; Mr Alfred Hounsell, of Wellington; Mr George Hounsell, of Nelson; Mrs Otto Haase, of Takaka ; Mrs Moss, of Wanganui; Mrs Kirk, of Wanganui; and Mrs Williams, of Nelson), and thirty-nine grand-children, and nine great grand-children.