Pioneer of Sandon Passes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 105, 5 May 1937, Page 15

Pioneer of Sandon Passes

MRS. MARY ANN BOWATBB. The death occurred at Sandon on Friday, April 23, of one of Sandon’s few remaining pioneers, in the person of Mrs Mary Ann Bowater, at the age of 71 years. Born in Cornwall, England, in 1865, she sailed for New Zealand at the age of nine in the ship “Berar,” and landed in Wellington on January 22, 1875. Good fortune favoured this family before sailing as they had intended coming out by the “Cospatrick, ” which was burned at sea. Of the 476 passengers aboard, only six survived, being rescued by the British Sceptre on November 27, 1874. After the family reached Wellington they settled in Wanganui for 18 months and then came to reside in Sandon, where Mrs Bowater lived for 60 years. The late Mrs Bowater was devoted to her home and was noted for her hospitality at all times. She took little activity in the social life of tho community but was a great supporter of the Methodist Church and always displayed a keen interest in the affairs of the Sandon Old Boys’ Association. It was always a delight to hear her talk about the early history of New Zealand and the pioneering days of the Manawatu. Of the immediate relatives who survive to mourn their loss are Miss Amy Bowater, Mesdames T. H. Williams, E. J. Bowater, J. Currie (all of Sandon), and Mr Harold Bowater (Raetihi),; two sisters, Mrs J. Coulter (Sandon), Mrs J. Mc-Nab (Marlon), and Messrs W. Bowater (Rongotea) and Alfred Bowater (Saudon), and eight -grandchildren. The interment took place at the Sandon cemetery on Sunday, April 25, tho services at the church and graveside being conducted by the Rev. R. E. Fordyce. A largo and representative number of settlers from the surrounding | district attended and the profusion of I beautiful wreaths and sheaves of telegrams and letters received bore testimony to a life of devotion to her family. | The casket was conveyed to its last rosting place by two groups of pallbearers—at the church, Messrs W. J George, K. George, Geo. Bowater, Geo. Williams, Ray and Romford George, and at the graveside, Messrs W. McNab, C. E. Eglinton, E. J. Bowater, G. George, J. Currie and A. George.