Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 42, 19 February 1938, Page 3

Obituary

MR MARTIN BIELSKI. On January 23, at the Taihape hospital, there passed away after a protracted illness another of Rangiwahia’s pioneer settlers in the person of Mr Martin Bielski at the age of 63. When only 2 years old with his parents he came out to New Zealand. They first settled in Marton later moving to Halcombo whence they went to Raugiwahia when the Pembleton settlement was opened, Mr Bielski, senr., being one of the original selectors. Mr Bielski who was then 13 years of age, worked with his father, felling xho bush, sowing the seed, fencing and clearing the land. Later he worked with a survey party under Mr Ashcroft. He was also engaged in several bush-felling contracts. Later still with a team he took metalling contracts and when the roads became more open, with a five-horse team and waggon he was engaged in carting the butter from the local factory and bringing in stores, etc., on the return journey from Feilding. For some time he had the mail contract from Rangiwahia to Mangaweka. His latest activities in Rangi\v hia were carting wool and other produce. He and his team and waggon were familiar figures on the roads. Some years ago he left Rangiwahia and took up a farm near Marton and later at Colyton and finally at Ohingaiti. In his younger days he took a keen interest in sports, being no mum athlete, and was prominent in local football. Of a genial disposition he w r as a good companion and popular with his associates.

To mourn their loss there remain his widow, three sons and three daughters to whom the sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out. The children are Nellie (Mrs Brown! Te Puke, Kathleen (Mrs McNeill) Waitara, Margaret (Mrs Adams) Waitara; Jim, Waitara; Lcn, Utiku; and Reg., Ohingaiti. He is ‘ also survived by three brothers and sisters, viz., Tom, Jack and Frank, of Rangiwahia; Mrs Temperley, Feilding; Mrs Bell, Auckland, and Mrs Bourke Rangiwahia. Another sister, Mrs, S. Stent, and a brother, Fred, predeceased him. The funeral took place at Taihape.