OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 7, 6 December 1932, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR PHILLIP STEVENS. A long association with the Dominion was brought to a close by the death of Mr Phillip Stevens, which occurred on Sunday, the deceased gentleman having spent all his 82 years in the Wellington province and a large portion of the time in the Manawatu. Born at Porirua, he was unfortunate in losing his parents when seven or eight years old, and he spent his boyhood, days with Air Pagan, of Porirua, who befriended him and taught him cabinet-making, etc. However, on attaining manhood’s estate, Air Stevens decided to follow farming pursuits and was for a period in the employ of the late Air Anthony Wall prior to taking up land for himself at Porirua. Later he became licensee of the Porirua HoteL and while so engaged married Aiiss Jane Walker, a daughter of the late Air Robert Waiker, who was in the early days well known as a veterinary surgeon. Fifty-eight years ago he came to Palmerston North by coach, first establishing a tent in Fitzherbert Street, but later built a home in Taonui Street. AVithin a year the call of the land induced him to purchase a farm on Alilson’s Line and it was only some five years ago that he retired from farming and came to Palmerston North to reside with Air and Airs E. D. Evans, of Chelwood Street. In his earlier days the deceased gentleman, although of a retiring disposition, rendered good service as a committeeman of the Taonui School and as a member of the Kairanga Road Board when it was in existence, while he had always maintained an active interest with the Brethren. His wife predeceased him IS years ago and. with increasing years his health faded. There are left to mourn their loss a family of five sons and three daughters—Alessrs J. R. Stevens (Palmerston North), H. AA'. Stevens (Hastings), P. P. Stevens (Feilding). E. Al. Stevens (Sydney), L. Stevens (Feilding), Airs W. Hastie (Feilding), and Airs R. Neill (Wellington). The late Airs AA'alter Voss was also a daughter. There are also 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grand-children.

AIR JOHN SINGLETON. Air John Singleton, whose death occurred in the local hospital on Sunday, was formerly well known in the Pahiatua district where he resided for a number of years prior to taking up his residence in Palmerston North 15 or 16 years ago. The deceased gentleman was a native of Cork, Ireland, coming to the Dominion 55 years ago. He landed at Napier and proceeded to the Pahiatua district where he was engaged in farming until he retired. He had enjoyed excellent health till a month ago, and his death, in his 73rd year, came as a distinct shock to his many friends. There are two sons left to mourn their loss, Alessrs James Singleton (Napier) and AA'iliiam Singleton (Palmerston North).