PASSING OF A PIONEER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 286, 31 October 1933, Page 2

PASSING OF A PIONEER

LATE MR HANS SMITH. EARLY YEARS IN ASHHURST DISTRICT. Another of the older generation of pioneer settlers of the Manawatu passed away with the death last week of Mr Hans Smith, of Morrinsville, and formerly of Ashhurst. Fifty years ago Mr Smith took up a bush section at Ashhurst, and he went through all the hardships that fell to the lot of the settlers who transformed heavy bush land into pasture. Not content with this achievement in pioneering work, he directed his energies about 20 years tgo to breaking in a property at Kiwitahi, near Morrinsville. Until recently, when he met with a serious accident, he was extremely energetic and could hold his own against men half his age at any manual work. Before settling in New Zealand, Mr Smith lia.d an adventurous career which made him well fitted for pioneering work. He was born at Frederichstadt, in Norway, in 1853, and had the misfortune to lose his parents when he was very young. At the age of 15 he took to a seafaring life, as so many of his fellow-countrymen have done, and made voyages to all parts of the world in sailing ships during the ’seventies. For several years he was engaged on inter-colonial ships trading between Lyttelton and Newcastle (Australia). At Lyttelton 56 years ago he married Miss Alary Jane Lamont, and for a few years afterwards was engaged in tlie coastal shipping trade. Leaving the sea fifty years ago, Air Smith removed to the Manawatu district and took up a bush section at Ashhurst. There were no roads in the district in those days, and the lot of the pioneers was most unenviable. Roads were but tracks—often the river was used for conveying supplies to the settlements —telephones were not then in general use, and the pioneers had many anxious times when sickness or accidents called for medical skill, as it was a two-days’ journey to get the services of a doctor. If rivers wero in flood the settlers would be cut off from the world altogether. Mr Smith had a foot crushed by a tree while working in the bush, and was laid up for over a year. After 20 years or more the efforts of Air and Mrs Smith were rewarded with the possession of good grazing country in place of the heavy forest of former years. Good roads were put through the district, and farming life assumed the atmosphere such as the younger generation knows. Soon after the death of Airs Smith, which occurred 24 rears ago! Air Smith went to the AVaikato, and in company with two of his sons. Alessrs E. L. and F. N. Smith, commenced work oil a block of unimproved country at Kiwitahi, near Alorrinsyille. This time it was fern-covered virgin land instead of bush land that Air Smith set out to bring into pasture. A few years ago Mr Smith retired from actual farming, and had spent his time partly in the Ashhurst district and partly in the Alorrinsvillo district. About three months ago he met with a serious accident at Feilding when a stack of timber collapsed oil him, resulting in a fracture of ribs.. He never really recovered from this injury. Thee a.re six sons and two daughters in the late Air Smith’s family, and 26 grandchildren and one great-grand-child. The sons are Messrs J. C. Smith (AVaharoa), AV. 1.. T. AI. and F. N. Smith (Kiwitahi), O. R. Smith (Cambridge) and E. L. Smith (Palmerston North); and the daughters are Alesdames A. Anderson (Kiwitea.) and A. Bell (Utmvai, Ashhurst). The interment took place at Ashhurst. AIR AV. T. FERGUSSON. Following upon failing health for some months, the death recently occurred, at the age of 60 years, of Air Walter Thomas Fergusson, of “Highlands,” Halcombe. An enthusiastic worker for the Alethodist Church, and a keen follower of hockey and football. the late Mr Fergusson was born at Bulls, being tlie fifth son of the late Air John Fergusson, The deceased gentleman was predeceased by his wife, but, a family of four arc left to mourn their loss. They are Airs R. Edgar (Kakariki), Airs N. Adams (Halcombe) and Alessrs O. and H. Fergusson (Halcombe). Tlie interment took place at Halcombe on Saturday, there being a large attendance. Rev. Mr Bayliss conducted the service. The pall-bearers were five nephews of deceased, Alessrs R. L., AV. J., L. J., J. and L. Fergusson, and also Air H. Pash. AIR DONALD GRANT. The deatll is reported from Tauranga of Air Donald Grant, who was well-known in the Alanawatu a number of years ago, he having been then engaged in farming tlie property now occupied by Air D. Oollis, of Kairanga. Air Grant took an active interest in local body affairs. He was chairman of the old Alanawatu Road Board and as such was largely instrumental in having Bourke’s Brain constructed to carry the surplus water from the properties in the Kairanga down to the Oroua river. Aiany of the older residents of the district will probably recall the Court proceedings taken by Air Grant against a local body in this district for damages as a result of Hood waters invading his property and in which lxe was successful. Although not a member of tlie Alanawatu and AVest Coast A. and P. Association, Air Grant was a well-known exhibitor in tlie stock classes. While a resident of this district he visited Scotland on several occasions. On one occasion he took a thoroughbred mare with him and succeeded in winning the Perth Cup with her. Some 30 years ago he disposed of his property to Alessrs Nathan Bros, and took up a large block of land at Ohinepanea, Te Puke. He continued his interest in public affairs in the north and at one period held the chairmanship of the Tauranga Harbour Board. Air Grant bad attained the advanced age of 83 years.