Mr. Jabez Foster

Northern Advocate, 23 January 1942, Page 2

Mr. Jabez Foster

The death occurred 'in the Kaitaia hospital, on Sunday night, of Mr Jabez Foster, one of the oldest identities of the Mangonui district. Mr Foster, who was in his 79th year, suffered a fractured leg as the result of a fall at his home in Mangonui, some five weeks ago. Deceased was born in Lincolnshire in 1863, and left England with his parents in November, 1879, in the “Earl Granville,” arriving in Auckland in March 1880. With the family he was engaged in farming in the Oruaiti district. Later he was engaged in bush and mill work in the Mangonui and Whangaroa districts. After his marriage to Miss Annie Kitchen, of Victoria Valley, he was farming for a time at Pukekohe. Later he farmed a property at Takahue for a number of years, and then returned to the original farm at Oruaiti. There he suffered the loss of his wife, and about 15 years ago retired to live in Mangonui.

Deceased was a loyal and faithful member of the Methodist Church over a long period. The funeral service was held at Victoria Valley on Tuesday afternoon, when relatives and friends assembled to pay their last respects. The service was conducted by Rev. H. Whitefield, who paid glowing tribute to the memory of a life well lived.