Maori War Veteran Passes

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 6

Maori War Veteran Passes

MR WILLIAM NATHAN The last of a well-known Wanganui family in the person of Mr. William Nathan, passed away at his residence, “Rawhiti,” No. 2 Vogel street, Palmerston North, early yesterday morning. The deceased gentleman, who was in his eightieth year, was the youngest son of Mr. Henry Nathan, of Wanganui, the head of a. family closely connected with the early development and settlement of that town, and for a period Chief Citizen of tho important West Coast centre..

Mr. William Nathan was born in Wanganui in 1854 and was ono of tho first pupils to attend tho Collegiate School. Now Zealand was then in the throes of tho Maori War, and this adventurous youth, at the age of 15 years, joined his brothers in the famous Forest Rangers and saw much active service. Later he enlisted with the Armed Constabulary and served with this historic corps for a considerable period. Tho fighting with tho Maoris at an end, Mr. Nathan and three of his brothers, Messrs. Joseph, Anthony and Thomas, set up as road contractors —an essential feature of the oarly colonising days—and carried out important work in tho Manawatu, Wanganui and other West Coast districts. To acquire further experience in constructional work, he went to Australia and helped the Victorian Government in building its many miles of railways. Ho came back to New Zealand in 1893 in the capacity of road engineer to tho New Zealand Government. His first field of activity was in the Taranaki district, and in the years ho spent there he married Miss Catherine Matkieson, of Timaru. Mr. Nathan’s ability soon became recognised and it was not long before he was appointed assistant road engineer for tho Wellington Province, with headquarters at Pahiatua, where ho lived for a number of years. At the outbreak of tho Great War, Mr. Nathan shifted to Wellington and directed operations from that oentre. A long life of activity terminated in 1920, when ho went to live in retirement, but later ho was recalled for a period during which ho had charge of tho Gisborno district. When this engagement ended, Mr. Nathan took up his residence in Palmerston North, where ho had lived ever since. Deceased had an eventful life and was ono of the fast disappearing band of pioneers who blazed the trail of this, the Empire’s outpost. Mr. Nathan was in good health up until six months ago, but the recent death of two brothers was a shock for his advancing years. He had been ailing for some time, and a week ago complications set in, his family being summoned. Deceased was of an unassuming nature and did not take an active part in public life during his retirement, but he had made a host of friends over his lengthy and active career, and his passing will be greatly regretted. A member of the Masonic fraternity, he is survived by a widow and family of four to whom the sympathy of a vide circle will be extended. Mrs. A. Gilmour (Wellington), Mrs. E. Whitehead (Palmerston North), and Miss Vera Nathan (Wellington) are daughters, and Mr. Brian Nathan, of Palmerston North, is a son. The funeral, which will he of a private nature, takes place this morning.

The anglers from Palmerston North who were camping at the Piri Piri bridge have finally packed their rod and line and returned home content with their fishing exploits of rainbow trout, cherry plums, etc., and leaving threats to return with the ripening of the walnuts and peal's. They report it to bo an ideal holiday setting, and place chief among its joys the rest it affords for mind and body, as compared with city life.—Piri Piri correejjooEdent,