Early Feilding Settler Passes On

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 3

Early Feilding Settler Passes On

DEATH OF MRS. O. A. MOUNTFORT A prominent and highly respected early settler of Feilding in the person of Mrs. Ann Barry Mountfort, wife of Mr. Charles Adam Mountfort, retired Government surveyor, passed away on Monday, at her residence in East street, at the age of 80 years. The late Mrs. Mountfort ’s connection with Feilding goes back to the early days of the settlement when she was bought on to the Manchester Block by her husband, who carried* out the original survey of the district. She was married at the residence of the late Sir William Fox at Greatford and came with her husband to Feilding to play her part in the difficult pioneering days of the district. The countryside was familiar to her husband who for some years had been engaged on survey work branching out from the high point known as Mt. Stewart down across the swamp country and into the bush which covered the territory now occupied bv Feilding and district. With her husband absent for lengthy periods on his difficult survey work Mrs. Mountfort was called upon to endure an added trial to the life of a pioneer and with a spirit as commendable as it was quiet and unassuming, the deceased lady went through those days of long ago, devoting herself untiringly to the cares of her family and of others. A staunch worker for many years for St. John’s Anglican Church, the late Mrs. Mountfort made warm friends wherever her activities took her and there will be many who will deeply mourn her loss. Of an extremely artistic temperament, old residents of Feilding will remember her accomplishments at painting in oils, excellent examples of which are still in existence.

Mrs. Mountfort is survived by her husband and a grown-up family of several sons and daughters to whom the sympathy of many will go out.