BUNNYTHORPE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 103, 1 April 1929, Page 3

BUNNYTHORPE.

(From Our Own Correspondent) BUNNYTHORPK, March 30. There passed away at her residence, Ashwick Lodge, Bunnythorpe, on Ihursday morning, a very old resident in the person of Mrs John Jefferies, wife of tho late John Jefferies, after a long illness, at the ago of 81 years. Her death removes one of the oldest settlers in Bunnythorpe, one of the early pioneers of the district, who in the early days suffered many hardships. By her many kindly actions during the many years she has resided in Bunnythorpe she made a large number of friends. *lhe deceased, with her late husband, .came to New Zealand in 1875 in the ship Helen Denny, arriving in Napier after a. journey of 93 days. Soon aftor their arrival they went to tho Fcilding district and then settled at Bunnythorpe in her late* home where she passed away. When they came to Bunnythorpe 53 years ago roads and railways were unknown in the district, and tho countryside was all bush. The late Mrs Jefferies has seen many changes from the bush to beautiful farms as at the present. The deceased was born at Marshfield, Gloucestershire, England, in the year 1848. She leaves a family of seven sons and six daughters, namely, Henry Jefferies, Taonui; Samuel, Feilding; Gabrill, Frankton; Terry, Bunnythorpe; Albert, Taonui; Arthur, Taonui; . Alfred, Bunnythorpe; Mrs Howard, Levin; Mrs Marshall, Bunnythorpe; Mrs Thompson, Bunnythorpe; Mrs R. James, Bunnythorpe; Miss May and Miss Kate Jefferies, Bunnythorpe. There are also 25 grand-children and 17 great-grand-children. Mrs F. Jefferies, of Stanway, is a sister of the deceased. Tho funeral took place on Saturday afternoon when there was a very large attendance to pay their last respects to a very old settler. iVlr Franklin Ferguson conducted tho service at the graveside. On the eve of the Easter Holidays the school committee and scholars gathered together to bid farewell to their headmaster. Mr J. O. Webber, who was that day severing his connection with tho Bunnythorpe School to take up tho position of headmaster at Durie Hill, Wanganui. Mr W. T. Maxwell, chairman of the committee, voiced an expression of best wishes on behalf of the scholars, and Mrs Peterson, headmistress, on behalf of the staff, and the scholars carried the vote by three hearty cheers. Mr Webber, in responding, wished the school tho same success that has been obtained during tho six years he has been headmaster. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Webber and family left for Wanganui.