Mr P. W. Gillingham

Northern Advocate, 28 December 1949, Page 7

Mr P. W. Gillingham

OBITUARY . .

Mr Philip White Gillingham, of Wbangarei, has died at the age of 69, following a short illness. Mr Gillingham came to New Zealand from England with his parents, the late Mr and Mrs Edward Gillingham, in 1838, settling at Tuakau, in the northern Waikato.

When he was still a schoolboy his parents came to Maungakaramea where they took up land and he completed his education. As a young man he was a keen horseman, breaking-in saddle horses and competing at local agricultural shows. In 1904 he married Miss Sarah Gunson and went to live at Mangapai where they resided until 1925 when Mr Gillingham entered the butchery business at Maungakaramea, After five years at Maungakaramea Mr GUlingham took a farm at Kamo which he worked until ho retired to Parua Bay in 1935- He also owned a bach at Tutukaka, where he indulged in his hobby of fishing. In 1940 Mr Gillingham' moved to Iris home in Maunu Road where he still maintained his farming interest on a seven-acre property. Throughout his life Mr Gillingham enjoyed agricultural shows and sales. He had an'abiding love for, and understanding of animals. Rugby football also held his attention, and he rarely missed seeing a match until his health broke down this winter.

While at Maungakaramea he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. In his younger days he took an active part in young people's affairs in the Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife and three daughters, Kathleen (Mrs W. E. Rodgers) of Auckland, Mary (Mrs G. S. Walker), and Maggie (Mrs T. A. McLennan) both of Maungakaramea. There are eight grandchildren.