Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 227, 26 September 1935, Page 3

Obituary

MR P. KEICHENBACH Born at Queenstown, the death occurred at Mangatainoka last Saturday of Mr P. Beichenbach. With his passing the district has lost one of its bestknown identities, who spent tho major portion of his 63 years in that locality. Deceased spent his younger days in Dunedin, and it was as a lad of 11 years that he came North to Mangatainoka with his father. On attaining man’s estate Mr Beichenbach engaged in farming operations and assisted in no small degree in clearing bush from the countryside. A well-known athlete, he was a prominent member of the Mangatainoka Athletic Club, being a track runner and a walker, holding somo records for the latter, a representative footballer, and a member of tho rifle club.

His passing was deplored by a wide circle of friends, the esteem in which lie was hold being evidenced by the large number of residents who attended the funeral to pay their last respects, tho cortege being over a mile long. Acting as pall-bearers were several of his oldest friends. The service was conducted by Eev. P. Wiltshire, of Pongaroa.

Mr Reiehenbaeh was twice married, his first wife passing away 22 years ago. There are left to mourn their loss his widow, and a family of five children by the first marriage—Messrs Ivan (To Ecliunga), Melville (Mangatainoka) and Lycl Reiehenbaeh (Palmerston North), Airs 11. WeidenbohriL (Taumarunui) and Miss Bernice Reiehenbach (Maugatainoka). There are also eight grand-children. MR NEELS C. HANSEN An association with the Dominion which extended over Co years, during which ho had witnessed tiio wonderful advancement of tho Manawatu, and had assisted in tho pioneering activities, was brought to a close this week by the death of Air Niels Christian Hansen, which occurred at the residence of his daughter, Airs G. \Y. Pet-! terson, of Victoria avenue. Born in Denmark, Air Hansen came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Zealand in 187.1, a fellow passenger being the late Airs Segren, who recently passed away. On arrival at Wellington, Air Hansen undertook the long tramp up the coast to/Foxton prior to branching inland to Palmerston North, which was then little more than a village set in the midst of the virgin bush. On arrival in this district Alt Hansen took up a small section of land at Whakarongo, which he proceeded to clear. However, until he be'came established he sought other work and at different periods he worked on the waterfront at Wellington, on the Wcli'ington-Alanawatu railway line (incidentally assisting in the erection of one of the bridges on the Ballance side of the Alanawutu gorge), while he also carried out a good deal of bushwork in and around Palmerston North and Whakarougo. In connection with his bush-felling activities, Mr Hansen cleared that area of land where the Kelvin Grove cemetery now is. Between times he advanced the preparation of his. own property with a view lo commencing a nursery, and in ISB2 he married a fellow country-woman, Aliss Gudmundssen, who had come out to the Colonies for health reasons following upon a strenuous period of nursing during an outbreak of a disease in Denmark.

After their marriage Air and ALrs Hansen took up their residence at Whakarongo, the partnership being broken by the death of Airs Hansen almost eight years ago.

There are left to mourn their loss a family of four daughters,'the members being Alesdames T. Ridler (Auckland), A. Saunders (Adelaide), G. W. Betterson (Palmerston North) and J. Downing (Whakarongo). There are also 10 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.