OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 February 1926, Page 4

OBITUARY

MRS E. Id. HUNT OVER SEVENTY YEARS OF COLONIAL LIFE One of New Zealand’s early pioneers, Mrs E. H .Hunt, passed away at Nelson on Saturday last. Although in her 93rd year the deceased lady retained her niernury and intellect to the last, and in fact until a few months ago enjoyed excellent health. The late Mrs Hunt was a native of Somerset, England, and with her husband the late Mr E. Id. Hunt iwho was for many years in business in Wellington) arrived in Victoria in 1852. This was at the height of the gold rush, and the times were indeed full of hardship and adventure. 'Houses were unobtainable and a tent formed the family habitation until later readymade “knock down” huts were imported from Singapore. Water of inferior quality had to be purchased at 2/6 per bucket and everything else in proportion. After several trips to England the family decided to make their future home in New Zealand, and the journey out was made via the Isthmus of Panama (crossing the Isthmus by railway) in 1868, in which year the family settled in Wellington. The deceased lady, who has been residing in Nelson for the past 23 years, was in every way typical of the better class of settlers who were the founders of the people and institutions of New Zealand to-day. The late Airs Hunt was the mother of 12 children, of whom the following are the surviving sons and daughters: Airs L. C. Roskruge, Airs 11. P. Mills and Air A. Leigh Hunt, all of Hataitai Wellington); Airs Tiios. King (Nelson); Messrs Fred Hunt (Auckland); N". Hunt (Napier); If. R. Hunt (Wairarapa) and Mrs D. McGaveslon, uf Motueka.