Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 53, 4 March 1936, Page 3

Obituary

MRS A. EADE, FEILDING The passing of Mrs Alfred Eade, of Camden street, Feilding, recalls the pioneering days of the town, for the deceased lady, as a child of five years, arrived at the birth of this new settlement and literally grew up with it. Born at Nelson, Mrs Eade, who was then little Ellen Jane Portliouse, departed on her first sea journey en route for the new settlement of Feilding. The voyage across Cook strait to Wanganui proved the least discomforting of what proved to be a long and adventurous journey to the prin cipal township of what was then known as the Manchester Block. The river city welcomed the voyagers from the South Island and prepared them for the next stage of tho journey, which was to be accomplished by dray over the difficult highway which had been cut through the bush from Mt. Stew r art to Wanganui. This journey was mado in slow stages and eventually the family, of which deceased was a member, reached Awahuri road, where a camp was made. Eventually they arrived iu Feilding to find just one or two houses. The family cla'ims to be one of the very first to settle in the district and the late Mrs Eade has iived to see a wilderness grow to a town of the present size. At the age of 19 Ellen Porthouse was married to Alfred Eade, who also can claim to be one of the pioneers of the town. In all there were 13 of a family, and it is of interest to note that all passed through the Manchester Street School, as also did tho mother. The boys, of whom there were 11, grew up to be great athletes and all wero particularly good swimmers. Allan was the champion of the Wanganui district and for many years held records in this vicinity. The Great War cut short two promising careers, when both Alfred and Allan were killed in action. Stanley Eade, a student at Victoria University in Wellington, is a member of the New Zealand universities’ football team which recently toured Japan. Two of the sons are at present members of the Baptist Church missionary in India. Eev. M. J. Eade is situated at Brahmanbaria, in the Bengal area, while Eev. B. N. Eade is at Chadpur. Fortunately both these brothers wero on furlough a short time ago when they were able to see their mother. The late Mrs Eade ivas for many years keenly interested in the Wesleyan Church in Feilding and was organist at both the church and Sunday school. Of latter years she was a prominent member of the Baptist Church. She was also most generous to any work of a charitable nature. This can well be imagined, for it is said of the late Mrs Eade that she was only too fond of helping others and did not worry enough about herself. All Feilding will be sorry to hear of the death of a wonderful mother and a worthy citizen. She is survived by her husband, Mr Alfred Eade, and tho family of 11 as follows: Mrs E. C. Stewart (Feilding), Miss M. Eade (Feilding), Eevs. B. N. and M. J. Eade (India), Messrs Walter, Charles, Stanley, Eonald, and Phillip Eade (Feilding), Iv. P. Eade (Hamilton), and W. F. Eade (Martou). The passing of Mrs Eade was referred to at Monday evening’s meeting of tho Manchester Street School Committee, when the chairman (Mr G. J. Fitzpatrick) proposed a motion of sympathy with Mr Eade and family, which was carried in silence. He made reference to tho fact that the deceased lady, who was a pioneer of the town, had received part of her education at the school, while tho whole of her family had passed through the school. Her sons had distinguished themselves in various walks of life, and the school and Mr Eade had every reason to be proud of such a family.