OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, 23 January 1928, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MR JOHN CRAVEN. The death of Mr John Craven, which occurred on Friday evening, removed a figure well-known in tire early days of the Ashhurst Settlement, when the Manchester Block was opened for selection in the late ’seventies.. The late Mr Craven was born in 1848 in Blackburn, Lancashire, and came to New Zealand in 1879, landing at Foxton, and going to Ashhurst when the country for the most part was covered with bush. There Mr Craven purchased a section and carried on his trade of a carpenter and builder among the pioneer settlers who had come like himself to carve out a home in the new land. Mr Craven was also engaged in the construction of the railway through the Manawatu Gorge and later entered into a storekeeping business with a partner (the firm being known as Rimmer and Craven). In subsequent years deceased conducted the business on his own account. For many years he acted as chairman of the Ashhurst School Committee. Mr Craven, who was always highly respected for his sterling integrity, resided in Ashhurst until 1908 and then having disposed of his store went to Dannevirke whore, until, the last three years, he carried on his trade as a carpenter, retiring from active work in 1924. For the past six months the deceased gentleman (says the Dannevirke News) suffered poor health, his illness taking a serious turn some three months ago. His wife predeceased him in 1892, and of his family of 10 children three died in infancy, the survivors being Mrs S. Ingram, Marton Junction, Mrs E. P. Wood and Mrs Marshall, Ohakune, Messrs F. and R. Craven. Dannevirke, Herbert, Oliura, and J. J. B. Craven, Palmerston North. The late Mr Cra‘ven had been an active Mason since 1889 and was a Past Master. MRS T. E. FRENCH. Aften a lengthy illness, borne with great fortitude, the death occurred yesterday of Mrs French, wife of Mr T! E. French. Fitzherbert Avenue. Born in Devonshire, deceased came to New Zealand 19 years ago, and had spent all of that time, with the exception of a year, in Palmerston North. Besides her husband, she leaves a family of one son and four daughters, and to them the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended. The son is Mr R. C. French and the daughters Misses Jean, Zoe, Lorraine and Patricia. MRS S. HANSEN. The death of Mrs Susan Hansen, which occurred at her residence, 57 Lombard Street, on Saturday last, removes a resident of New Zealand of many years’ standing. The late Mrs Hansen was born in Dundee, and came to New Zealand some fifty, years ago. For a number of years she resided in the Hawke’s Bay district, but for the past ten years had made her home in Palmerston North, and was respected by a wide circle of friends. The deceased lady leaves three daughters, Miss M. Hansen, of Hastings, and Misses A. and V. Hansen, Palmerston North, to mourn their loss.