Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 133, 8 June 1935, Page 3

Obituary

EARLY SETTLER OF FEILDING PASSES. MR. GEORGE HITCHMAN. One of Ecilding’s original settlors in tlie person of Mr. George Hitchman passed away yesterday at the advanced ago of 9G years. He goes to a long rest after serving a most useful life and his name which has been known in the district for over GO years, will never lose its association with the farm property he occupied at the junction of Colyton road with Ivimbolton road which has ever been known as Hitchman’s corner. Tho lato Mr. Hitchman was among that gallant band of pioneer settlers who came to Ecilding in 1574 to lay the foundations for the development of the district and the prosperity that was to follow and arriving from the Old Country to be confronted with a scene of virgin bush called for a big heart and the courage of a true pioneer. With tho lato Mrs. Hitchman and their family of seven children they journeyed to New Zealand in the ship Salisbury to disembark at Wellington. The journey was mado up the coast to Foxton along with other emigrants, in the old Manawatu, men, women and children being packed in the hold of tho vessel like cattle with straw to lie on. Palmerston North was reached per medium of tho old wooden tram and tho party went on to Ecilding by bullock dray. There Mr. Hitchman set to work building a home for himself and his family. For several years he was engaged in the work of tho pioneers, road making bush falling and general- labour. Then when tho railway was started he commenced work on it. In IS7S Mr. Hitchman took up land three miles out of Ecilding on the Kimbolton road and farmed it until 13 years ago, when ho left the management to a son. Ho was tho last of tho older people who came out by tho Salisbury, and his family has gone to five generations. Sons and daughters are Messrs. Will Hitchman (To Rehunga), John Hitchman (Danncvirke), George Hitchman (Fcilding), and Mesdames Adsett (Dannevirke), Bowler (Ecilding), and Lissington (Wliaugarei). There is a total of 120 descendants.

MR.. ARCHIBALD KENDALL. There passed away on April 12 last, at tho residence of his sisters, Misses Mary and Annie Kendall, at Camperdown, in Ontario, Canada, Mr. Archibald Rendall, at tho age of 9G years. Deceased was a native of tho Orkney Islands in Scotland. At the ago of 14 he apprenticed himself on a vessel sailing from Kirkwall to European ports. Following the sea for seven or eight years he finally landed in New South Wales, at the time of the goldmining boom. Like many others he headed for the diggings and staked his claim. Instead of making the fortune lie had hoped for he found the work laborious and with little remuneration. Ho then decided to go on to New Zealand, taking up mining on tho \V est Coast of the South Island. After many years of this strenuous labour ho linally concluded that farming was more to his liking. Going over to the North Island he. took up u farm in standing bush in Beaconsiield, clearing the bush and stocking up with sheep and cattle. Later selling out he purchased a farm in tho Harbour Board block. Again ho sold his farm and then bought a cleared section near Colyton, Ecilding After farming for upwards of 30 years ho took his second trip to Scotland to visit his relatives there, visiting his brother and other relatives in Canada on his ivay back to New Zealand. On his return to Colyton he sold his farm and went to live in Canada, where he linally made his home. lie was a gentleman of the old school, self-edu-cated, highly respected and well learned. His kind, genial and happy disposition made many friends and commanded the respect and affection of all with whom he came in contact. To know him was to love him. His passing marks the last of a long-lived family of two sons and four daughters. The only remaining relatives are nieces and nephews. Tho funeral service was held on Monday afternoon in tho Union cemetery, Thorubury, the Rev. A. A. Laing, of Inwood, a former minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Feilding, and a friend of the deceased conducting the service, assisted by the Rev. E. Osborne, present pastor of St. Paul’s Church over there. The pall bearers were six grand nephews: Will, Archie, Edward Rendall, and Russell McArthur, of Creemorc.