OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 8

OBITUARY

AIRS DUNCAN SINCLaA;

There passed away at Palmerston North on September 23 an old identity in the person of Mrs Duncan Sinclair, in her 94th year. Born at Swanage, Dorset, in 1842, Mrs Sinclair, who was a sister of Captain John and Messrs James and Fred Mowlem, proceeded with her parents to Guernsey at the age of nine years, where the family resided for 12 years, leaving in 1854 for Australia, where her father undertook construction work, laying the foundations of the present Melbourne Post Office, and erecting part of the historic Pentridge prison. Her elder brother, Captain Mowlem, became master of the vessel Electra, trading between England and New Zealand. In 1870, Mrs Sinclair landed in Wellington with her parents and was married bv Rev. James Patterson in 1872. Alter residing for 2i years in Wellington, Mr and Mrs Sinclair took up their residence at YV ai-nui-o-Mata and in 1882 Mr Sinclair purchased the Lowry Bay estate, where they resided until they came to Palmerston North in 1885. Mrs Sinclair will be missed by her many friends and the older members of St. Paul’s Church, where Mr Sinclair was one of the pillars of the church. Mrs Sinclair was predeceased by her husband, two daughters, Mrs J. S'. Watchorn and Mrs F. Danvers, and two sons, Messrs Duncan and Leonard Sinclair. Left to mourn their loss are three sons, Messrs Hugh, Norman and Harold Sinclair, and two daughters, Mrs J. Louissou and Mrs C. A. Bierre, all of Palmerston North; also 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral took place privately this morning, the pall bearers at the church being Messrs Hugh and Norman Sinclair (sons), J. Louisson and C. Bierre (sons-in-law) and D. Sinclair and Norman Sinclair (grandsons), while at the cemetery the bearers were Messrs ,H. and N. Sinclair, C. Bierre, J. Louisson and G. Watchorn and Duncan Sinclair (grandsons). Rev. A. N. Scotter conducted the church and graveside services. Many beautiful floral tributes covered the coffin, evidence of the high esteem in which Mrs Sinclair was held.

MR NIELS C. HANSEN. An association with the Dominion which extended over the long period of 65 years, during which he had witnessed the wonderful advancement of the Manawatu and, in some small measure at least, had assisted in the pioneering activities, was brought to a close yesterday by the death of Mr Niels Christian Hansen, which occurred at ttie residence of his daughter, Mrs G. W. Petterson, of No. 329 Victoria Avenue. Born in Denmark, Mr Hansen came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Zealand in 1871 a fellow passenger being the late Mrs Segren. who recently passed away. On arrival at Wellington, Mr Hansen undertook the long tramp up the coast to Foxton prior to branching inland to Palmerston North, which was then little more than a village set in the midst of the virgin bush. On arrival in this district Mr Hansen took up a small section of land at Wliakarongo, which he proceeded to clear. However, until he became established he sought othei work and at different periods he worked on the waterfront at Wellington, on the Wellington-Manawatu railway line (incidentally assisting in the erection of one of the bridges on the Ballance side of the Manawatu Gorge), while he also carried out a good deal of bushwork in and around Palmerston North and Whakarongo. In connection with his bush-felling activities, Mr Hansen cleared that area of land wheie the Kelvin Grove cemetery now is. Between times he advanced the preparation of his own property with a view to commencing a nursery, and m he married a fellow country-woman Miss Gudmundssen, who had come out to the Colonies for health reasons following upon a strenuous period ol nursing during an outbreak or a disease in Denmark. . , r . ~ After their marriage Mr and Mis Hansen took up their residence at Whakarongo, the partnership being broken bv the death of Mrs Hansen almost eight years ago. lor a. time thereafter Mr Hansen continued to follow his regular occupation until an illness compelled him to sell his property and come into Palmerston North to live with his daughter. Ihe possessor of a strong constitution, Mr Hansen enjoyed remarkably good health and his death in his 85th year followed upon only a week’s confinement to his bed. By his passing another link with the carlv days of the district and the ranks' of those pioneers who were largely responsible tor converting a bush-clad area into the smiling homesteads of to-day has been broken. There are left to mourn their loss a family of four daughters, the members being Mesdames T. Ridler (Auckland), A. Saunders (Adelaide), G. YV. letterson (Palmerston North) and J. Doyvninrr (Whakarongo). There are also 10 grandchildren and five great-grand-children. MR P. REICHEN BACH. By the death of Mr P. Reichenbach, -which occurred at Mangatainoka on Saturday, the district lost one ot its best known identities, the deceased having spent the major portion of his 03 rears ill that locality. Born at Queenstown, Air Reichenbach spent his younger days in Dunedin where liis father was in business, and it was as a lad of 14 years that he came, north to Mangatainoka with ins father. On attaining man s estate Air Reichenbach engaged in farming operations and assisted in no small degree in clearing bush from tiie countryside. A well-known athlete, lie was a prominent member ol the AJangatainoka Athletic Club, being a track runner and a walker, holding some records for the latter, a representative footballer, and a member, ot the Rifle Club. . Four months ago Air Reichenbach s health became indifferent and he was admitted to hospital for treatment, but later returned to his home where his death occurred. His passing was deplored by a wide circle of friends, the esteem in which he was held being evidenced by the large number of residents who attended the funeral to pay their last respects, the cortege being over a mile long. Acting as pallbearers were several of his oldest friends. The service was conducted by Rev. P. Wiltshire, of Pongaroa. Air Reichenbach was twice married, his first wife passing away 22 years ago. There are left to mourn their loss his widow, and a family of five children by the first marriage, Messrs Ivan (Te Rehunga), Melville (Alangatainoka) and Lyel Reichenbach (Palmerston North), Airs H. Weidenbohm (Taumnrunui) and Miss Bernice Reichenbach (Mangatainoka). There are also eight grand-children.