PERSONALITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7296, 5 August 1930, Page 6

PERSONALITIES

MANY HAPPY RETURNS. To-day Mrs Mary Brown, of Mangamutu, will be the recipient of many congratulations for her 80th birthday as well as best wishes for continued happiness andi long life. Mrs Brown can look back over years of strenuous life as a pioneer when all was bu3li around Pahiatua where her husband took up land. Those were the days when roads were unformed and before the railway was through. With her daughter she worked at clearing logs and stumps, burning the bush, milking cows, and keeping a poultry farm, the income from which paid the whole oi the costs of running the home. By this she enabled her husband to save his wages to pay for their iarm. At first they had to put up with tho discomfort of a small whare without much in the way of furniture, until they were able to build a house. Then came the great bush fire when all hands including the womenfolk, had to turn out to save their homes. Such wore the conditions under which the pioneer women of New Zealand lived and reared their families. Mr. McGrath, Palmerston North, has been visiting Taumarunui. A heavy cold prevented Cr. C. N. Clausen from taking his seat at last night’s meeting of the Palmerston North City Council. Mr F. J .Nathan, a member of the Palmerston North Rotary Club, was yesterday welcomed after his absence g! some duration from the club’s weekly sittings.

Mr F. Kensington, one of tho oldest bowlers of tho club, was, at tho annual meeting of tho Northern Fowling, Croquet and Tennis Club, last evening, accorded a motion of sympathy in the death of the late Mrs Kensington. At tho weekly meeting of tho Palmerston North Rotary Club yesterday, Messrs W. G. Black (Palmerston North), W. L. Scott (India), J. K. Hornblow (Foxton), A. Mitchell (Wellington) and F. Sherrill's were welcomed as visitors. Reference to the loss Sustained by the club with the death of Mr F. Maul was made by the retiring president Mr P. S. Larcomb) of the Northern Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club at the annual general meeting last evening. Tho deceased gentleman was a comparatively new member but during the short time ho was on the green he endeared himself to tho bowlers and all. other members, said tho chairman. It was resolved to forward a letter of sympathy to Mrs Maul and the meeting stood in silence as a mark of cstec-m to the deceased. Sympathy with tho widow, children and relatives of the late Mr P. W. Barnard was expressed at last night’s meeting of the Palmerston North City Council. Tho Mayor, in moving a motion expressing tho council’s deep regret, observed that deceased had been a most conscientious and capable officer and had he been spared he would have rapidly qualified for a position as town clerk. The motion was carried in silence, councillors standing. At the meeting of tho Hokowhitu school committco last evening members also stood ii) silence as a mark of respect to the deceased, 'the secretary being notified to convey the sympathy of the committee to tho widow. The death occurred in Wellington yesterday of Mr John Prousc, a notable figuro in the music circles of New Zealand at tho age of 75. Ho was a distinguished baritone singer and had toured with famous artists, including Kubelik, Melba, Baekkaus and Dolores. His greatest achievements tvere in oratorio and he had sung in the Albert and Queen’s hall. For thirty-five years he associated with St. Paul s pro-Catbcdral choir in Wellington. He was born at Wainuiomata, where his father settled in IS4I and was a successful business man in the timber trade. He leaves a widow, three sons and two daughters. Tho sons are Messrs William Prousc (architect), Oliver Prouso (solicitor), of Wellington, and George Prousc of Milan, Italy.

A soldier in the New Zealand forces at the age of 18 Edward Charles Meredith, died on Sunday in New Plymouth at the ago of S-i. It was tho murder of his father and brother by the Maoris on July 14, 1864, near Drury, which began tho Waikato war. After the murder Mr Meredith transferred to Wanganui, joining tho native contingent under Colonel McDonnell a 3 colour-sergeant. In 1865 he was present at the taking of Wereroa, Pipiriki and Opotiki. His company advanced into Tare and fought at Turu and Turumokai where Colonel Hassard was killed. On mtions for three days the troops made a ten-days’ march to New Plymouth. Waikoko was captured and the troops returned to Wanganui. After hostilities ceased Mr Meredith took up land at Patea. He ended his military career as sergeant-major of the Hawera volunteers.