ESTEEMED SETTLER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 3 June 1937, Page 8

ESTEEMED SETTLER

MR JAS. HARRIS, SANSON. DEATH OF AVELL-KNOAVN FIGURE. During the last few months the community of Sanson and immediate district lias been called upon to face the sad experience of paying their last tributes ot respect to many lite-Jong residents who have passed away; men and women who have lived and laboured for the common good and in their several ways have left their mark on the commercial and social progress and stability of town and country life. These pioneers of the second generation have successfully carried on the traditions of their forebears; now they in turn are leaving vacancies lor others to fill and bear their own responsibilities. The latest death to be recorded m this connection was that of Mr James Harris, who as a youth came to bauson from the Hutt, with his parents in the early ’seventies of last century. With the exception of a short interval during which he resided in Palmerston North, Mr Harris had lived continuously on part of the property originally secured by members of the Hutt Small r arm Association. As boy and man lie took an active part in all the varying undertakings incidental to pioneering in a new district, and in the course of his 7(1 years liad stored up a wonderful store of reminiscences of happenings before and since Jiis arrival in the Manawatu. In 1887, Mr Harris took for his life’s partner a daughter of Mr Thomas Sanson and thereby forged a happy and permanent link with another original iamily whose name is inseparably associated with the village bearing that name. Throughout the years the union has been one of the happiest, and preparations were in train for the celebration of their golden wedding in August when a great family reunion was to have taken place, which, however, was not be realised. A striking personality, Mr Harris was well . and widely known for Ins straightforward honesty of purpose in all his business undertakings. He was essentially a farmer, and concentrated his energies on the cultivation of his land and the well-being of his stock rather than in actively participating in the administration of public affairs. Always a keen horticulturist and lover of flowers, he was never happier than when working amongst the choice blooms in the flower bed and conservatory. The well-known homestead was typical of the open-handed generosity of the olden days where all were welcomed and no appeal for assistance in a worthy cause was disregarded. Many will remember occasions when they received timely help and encouragement, at critical periods in their lives. Athletic sports and outdoor games of all descriptions always received his cordial support, whilst lie himself was a well-known performer with the rifle and fowling piece. Mr and Mrs Harris were enrolled amongst the first scholars ot the Sanson school, in 1872, and were later foundation members of the Sandon Old Boys’ Association, 32 years ago, and have always shown a lively interest in its welfare; at the time of his death Mr Harris was the oldest surviving old pupil and patron of the association. The funeral took place on Monday f afternoon, when an unusually long procession of mourning relatives and friends followed the, cortege to its final resting place, and eloquent testimony to the esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held was shown by the large number of wreaths and messages of sympathy received by the mourning wife and family. The last ceremonial rites were conducted by Rev. R. E. Fordyce and Rev. J. C. Maeky, of Palmerston North, who jointly conducted a short service - at the house and afterwards at the ‘graveside. Besides bis widow, the surviving members of the family are Mr J. N. Harris (Sanson), Mesdames A. Pederson (Ohakea), G R. Kilsby (Tiritea), A. Honore (Tiritea), L. A. J. Henson (Mt. Stewart) and L. AV. Staite (Sandon); and ten grandchildren, to all of whom the sincerest sympathy lias been extended.