Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 15

Obituary

MRS. ANNE M. BARKER f Grand-daughter of pioneer settlers of Wellington and Lower Hutt (William Jabez Hall, who arrived at Port Nicholson in the “London" in 1842, and , George Hill, who came out in the “Arab" the previous year) and her- | self an early settler of Feilding, the death occurred at the Palmerston North Hospital on Alonday of Airs. Anne M. Barker, of Apiti, after a residence in the Feilding and Apiti districts of over fifty years. She was born at Lower Hutt in October, 1557, and was the eldest daughter of a largo family, some of whom still live in Lower Hutt, her father being Joseph Hall and her mother’s maiden name Elizabeth Hill. Airs. Barker retained to the last vivid recollections of her childhood days in Lower Hutt, which were amid the stirring pioneer period of that town. She knew of the privations of her elders, and of tho alarms and incidents caused by tho unrest of the Alaoris because of the war in the north, and also*of the Hau Hau Rebellion. Her father was an officer in ono of the Volunteer Corps, and his house, being in a central position, tho rifles, equipment and ammunition were stored in ono of the rooms. Tho family lived in constant fear that tho house would be raided by natives for tho weapons, but this never happened. At ono time the settlement was in terror that tho local Maoris would join the Hau Haus. They wero discussing the ruattfcr in the meeting house ono evening when Lieutenant Hall and another officer, both of whom could speak Maori, crept down to the place and listened, at the “risk of their lives, to what was being discussed. It was with great relief when tho settlers heard their report, to tho effect that the local natives were as much afraid of the Hau Haus as the pakeha

Miss Anno Hall’s first husband was James Baxter Edelston, who was a member of a well-known Nelson family, also pioneer settlers of that district. The marriage took place in 1883, at Lower Hutt, and the newlymarried couple went to live at Feilding, their first home being in Alancliester Street not far from the school, but on the opposite side of the road. Feilding was then in its first stage of existence, tho town consisting of a few stores and dwellings in a clearing amidst tho bush. Her husband was killed in an accident in 1886, leaving the widow with two children. Subsequently Mrs. Edelston went to live at Gisborne for some time. This was during the latter end of Te Kooti’s rebellion, when the town was tho centre from which military operations against the Alaori leader were directed.

Returning to Feilding, her second marriage took place in April, 1890, her husband, William Bamber Barker, a pioneer settler of the Feilding district, who was born at Boston, Lincolnshire, and came to Feilding in 1872. After living at Alakino for a time, they took up a farm in Sherwill Street, Feilding, which they worked for many years, retiring to live in Prince Street. There were two children of this marriage. Her husband died :n 1910, and after tho marriage of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Barker took up her residence with her in Apiti, where she remained until her death. Of retiring disposition, Mrs. Barker was a devoted member of the Methodist Church, whose Christian ideals, sincerity and sympathetic womanly character made a deep impression on those to whom she gn\e her friendship. She loved her garden and her books, and in the eventide of her life both provided her with happy interests. The sympathy of a Dominionwide circle of friends will be extended to her children, Air. J. S. Edelston (Feilding), Airs. AI. Haswell (Waipukurau), Air. A. G. Barker (Leeston, Canterbury) and Airs. J-ohn Jensen (Apiti). The interment took place at the Feilding cemetery on Wednesday. The service 'at her son's residence and at the graveside was conducted by Rev. J. C. R, Ashworth, of Apiti. The casket, which was covered with beautiful flowers, was carried by Messrs. Edelston and Barker (sons), E, B. Edelston and J. B. Haswell (grandsons), Ivor Jensen and W. Ai. Duncan.