THE LAST ROLL CALL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 51, 27 January 1933, Page 6

THE LAST ROLL CALL.

MAORI WAR VETERAN PASSES. DEATH OF MR W. NATHAN. The ranks of the fast disappearing band of Maori War veterans have been further reduced by the death of Mr William Nathan, who passed away at his residence, “Rawhiti,” Vogel Street, yesterday, in his 80th year. The deceased was a New Zealander by birth, having been born in Wanganui in 1854, and he was one of the first pupils to attend the Collegiate School. In the ensuing years he passed through many of the exciting and adventurous incidents of this young country and played a large part in the early development and settlement of Wanganui. As a lad of 15 years he joined his brothers in the famous Forest Rangers and saw much service, New Zealand being then in the throes of the Maori War. Later he enlisted with the Armed Constabulary and served with this historic corps for a considerable period. The fighting with the Maoris at an end, Mr Nathan and three of his brothers, Messrs Joseph, Anthony and Thomas, set up as road contractors — an essential feature of the early colonising days—and carried out important work in the Manawatu, Wanganui and other West Coast districts. To acquire further experience in constructional work, Mr William Nathan went to Australia and helped the Victorian Government in building its many miles of railways. He came back to New Zealand in 1893 in the capacity of road engineer to the New Zealand Government. His first field of activity was in the Taranaki district, and in the years he spent there he married Miss Catherine Mathieson, of Timaru. Mr Nathan’s ability soon became recognised and it was not long before he was appointed assistant road engineer for the Wellington province, with headquarters at Pahiatua, where he lived for a number of-years. At the outbreak of the Great War, Mr Nathan removed to Wellington and directed operations from that oentre. A long lile of activity terminated in 1920,. when he went to live in retirement,, but later he was recalled for a period during which he had charge of the Gisborne district. When this engagement ended, Mr Nathan took up his residence in Palmerston North, where he had lived ever since. Deceased had an eventful life and was one of the fast disappearing band of pioneers who blazed the trail of this, the Empire’s outpost. Mr Nathan was in good health until six months ago, but the recent death of two brothers was a shock for one of his advancing years. He had been ailing for some time, and a week ago complications set in, his family being summoned. Deceased was of an unassuming nature and did not take an active part in public life during his retirement, hut he had made a host of friends over his lengthy and active career, and his passing will be greatly regretted. A member of the Masonic fraternity, he is survived by a widow and family of four to whom the sympathy of a wide circle will be extended. Mrs A. Gilmour (Wellington), Mrs E. Whitehead (Palmerston North), and Miss Vera Nathan (Wellington) are daughters, and Mr Brian Nathan, of Palmerston North, is a son.

The funeral, which was of a private nature, was nevertheless attended by a number of old friends. The remains were laid to rest in the Kelvin Grove Cemetery, Rev. Canon Woodward conducting both the house and graveside services, while the Masonic fraternity were also represented.