OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 264, 6 October 1936, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS J. E. FULTON. The death occurred, on Saturday, at her residence in Grant Road, \Vellington, of Airs Charlotte Fredericks Fulton, widow of the Jato Mr J. E. Fulton, M.lnst. C.E., who was at one time president of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers. Airs Fulton, who was 82 years of age, was a very accomplished woman, and the daughter of the late Alajor Frederick Bund, of the Royal Alarme Light Infantry. About 65 years ago she was engaged by Czar Alexander 111 of Russia to teach English to his family, and had much that was interesting to tell about the Russian nobility in tlieir “palmy days” before the terrible days of the revolution. Airs Fulton was one of the kindliest of people and had a great many friends among the older and well-known Wellington citizens, and was always regarded with great respect and affection. She represented adequately a generation of gentlewomen who earned the affection and admiration given to high ideals and beautiful lives. Airs Fulton had an only daughter, Airs Frank Horton, with whom much sympathy will be felt in her bereavement. The deceased lady was an aunt of A'liss G. Warburton and Airs R. Abraham, of Palmerston North. After a service held at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral the funeral took place yesterday afternoon.

MRS ISABELLA A’COURT. An old and respected resident of Sanson passed away on Saturday evening, when the death occurred of Airs A’Court, at the age of 74 years. Airs A’Court was a daughter of the late Air and Airs Henry Hammond, and the eldest of a family of nine daughters and three sons. She was born at Bulls, and in 1873 accompanied her parents when they acquired the AVaitohi estate which was well-known in days gone by for hospitality and good cheer. The family experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneering life in what was then an isolated and unroaded area in a state of nature. On her marriage Airs A’Court continued. to reside in the Sanson district, where Air A’Court was engaged in farming pursuits till the time of his death some 25 years ago. In the social life of the district, and especially in the affairs of the Alethodist Church, they took a leading part and their door was always open to the passing stranger. They had in a large measure the wonderful faculty of being happy and of conveying happiness, to others, and many young men starting out on life’s highway had reason to be grateful for the wise counsel and hospitality received at their hands. Airs A’Court had resided in retirement in Sanson for many years among a host of relatives and friends. She was one of the first pupils of the Sanson. School a.nd always too a lively interest in the affairs of the Old Bovs Association, as well as in all other social interests in the community. Uld and young will miss her checrtul personality and the fund of anecdote which made her such an intei estmg entertainer. . Airs A’Court is survived by two sons, Alessrs H. T. A’Court (Palmerston North) and S. J. A’Court (Wellington), also A'liss A’Court (Sanson). She was predeceased by her daughters. Mis Betlmne and Aliss Dorothy A Court, and her son Harry, who died in 1318 of injuries received in the battle or tne Somme. There are five /ndcnildren. Other near surviving relatives are her sisters Alesdames W. J Phillips (Palmerston North), H. V. Hammond (Wanganui), A. D. Scott (langimoana), J. Didsbury (Alfredton), F. Purnell (Marton), and W. Scott (Oroua Downs), also a brother, Air W. b. Hammond (Alarton). The funeral took place yesterday and was attended by a very large gathering of relatives and friends. A short service was held in the old AAeslejan Chapel, where the deceased lady had always worshipped since girlhood Ihe service at the church and afterwards at the graveside was conducted by Rev. R E Fordvce, who was assisted by Rev T W. Vealie (Wellington), and Rev. A. N. Scotter (Palmerston .North), two very old friends of the family. The ministers paid glowing tributes to the life and work of a worthy Christian citizen, who had lived and laboured for the good of all. Ihe pall-bearers were divided into three sections in the following order : —At the house, six nephews; at the church, representatives of the Sanson Old Boys’ Association; and at the graveside a group of returned soldiers. Alany and beautiful were the floral tributes, which conveyed a mute yet fragrant testimony to the memory of mother, sister and friend. The hymn, “Jesu, Lover of My Soul,” was sung by the assembled mourners as the coffin was lowered to its last resting-place.

MR CHARLES CLEAVER. One of the original settlers of Canterbury, Mr Charles Cleaver, father of Mr G. Cleaver, of Argyle Avenue, Palmerston North, died at Normanby, South Taranaki, on Friday, aged 86 years. He was a son of Mr H. Cleaver, who was sent by the Plymouth Company with 350 other persons in the sailing ship Cressy to found the settlement Mr Charles Cleaver was three months old when the Cressy berthed at Lyttelton after a protracted voyage from England. Mr Cleaver first lived in a raupo-thatched dug-out on the Port Hills. His father later took the family to Kaiapoi, where they remained foi 11 years. Aifer his marriage to Miss P. Murfitt, Mr Cleaver settled near Christchurch and remained there for 23 years. The family arrived in Taranaki 38 years ago. There are 11 children, all living in the North Island.

MR J. H. GERRAND. Following a long and painful illness the death of Mr J. H. Gerrand. F.ketahhna, occurred in the Masterton .Hospital on Sunday evening. Mr Gerrand. who was 64 years of age, was the third son of the late Mr William Gerrand, barrister and solicitor, of Oatlands, Tasmania. He came to New Zealand from Australia about 18 years ago, and had resided in Masterton and Eketahuna since. As a young man the late Mr Gerrand was a keen all-round sportsman, being a clever exponent of Australian rules football. As a result of a severe fall from a horse in Victoria lie suffered injuries which handicapped him for the remainder of lus life. He is survived by a widow and a five-vear-old son. Messrs R. S. and N. J. Gerrand, of Masterton, are brothers of the late Mr Gerrand. and two sisters and a brother reside in Australia.