OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 194, 18 July 1941, Page 7

OBITUARY

MRS M. BASSETT. The death, yesterday, of Mrs Mary Bassett, of St. John's Hill, Wanganui, at the ago of 01, removes still another link from the chain which connects the present day with the pioneering era. A daughter of the Elliot family, who arrived in New Plymouth in 1841 ahoard the Amelia Thompson, Mrs Bassett was horn at New Plymouth on April 1, 1850. [n January, 1874, she married Mr William (ieorgc Bassett, son of a pioneer family which had arrived on the same vessel as her parents. Mr Bassett who was horn in May, 1849, died in December, 1928. Air and Mrs Bassett weut to Wanganui in 1874, Mr Bassett having been the successful tenderer, in partnership with the late Mr Bundle, for the con-

struction of the Aramoho railway bridge across the Wanganui River. Later, Mr Bassett built the l.'ohangina bridge, near Ashhurst, returning to Wanganui, Where ho established the timber merchants' business which bears his name and is carried on by a son With her husband, Mrs Bassett underwent many pioneering experiences during the past 90 years of New Zealand's history. Associating herself with her husband in his active interest in the advancement of Wanganui, Mrs Bassett was a foundation

member of the IMunket Society and was a member of the first committee of that body. An active worker in the interests of the Methodist Church, she was also keonlv interested in the W.C.T.U. and the Y.M.C.A. Up to tho last she retained all her faculties in

a remarkable manner, and invariably displayed an active interest in Dominion affairs. Unablo to attend the Centennial celebrations at New Plymouth at the end of March, she was the proud possessor of the !K)-year ribbon issued by the Taranaki Centennial Committee, which was accepted on her behalf by one of her descendants Mrs Bassett's health did not fail with advancing years, and she was never happier than when surrounded by a group of children from the later generations of the family. Her final illness was very short, and her passing was the peaceful one which comes to a pioneer whose life, lived to the full, has enriched the community. Mrs Bassett leaves five children, 18 grandchildren and 1G great-grand-children. The sons are Messrs Lcn E. Bassett and Lewis H. Bassett, of Wanganui. The daughters are Mrs W. Bassett Smith (Wanganui), Mrs F. L. Jfainsworth (Wanganui), and Mrs R. ; H. Billons (Palmerston North).