THE LATE MR. WM. GRAHAM, OF A WITU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9461, 4 September 1889, Page 5

THE LATE MR. WM. GRAHAM, OF A WITU.

A few days ago, writes our Pollok correspondent, I reported the death of a very old settler, William Grahsiu, of Kauri Point, Awitu, but at the time had not got particulars, which have since come to hand. Like the departing, aud almost departed, heroes of Waterloo and the " Charge of the Light Brigade,"' the late Mr. Graham and other very old settlors are fast disappearing, lie and his wife came to the colonies in 183!), from Paisley, Scotland. Mrs. Graham died about two years ago, and the old gentleman seemed to quietly mourn the bereavement till his death, and now he is lying , beside her in the "auldlcirk yard." The first place they arrived at was Bonth Australiu, where they remained for fourteen years. Sir George Grey served his term in oflico a? Governor during their residence, but they wore hearing from time to tiiuo much about the beauty and balmy climate of the Auckland district, and longed to be there in " a cottage by the soa," rather than amass great accumulations of lucre. At length they set sail for Auckland in a frail vessel, which was wrecked in Bass's Straits, when some of the passengers got drowned. After much tribulation they reached Auckland in 18">;:J, and in a few months thereafter they were rough-hewing the wilderness, now tho pretty eoaside home at Kauri Point, having the finest bit of beach on the const of the Manukau, composed of smooth white and grey sand, strowod with shells, and the deep channel washing close up to t within a short distance of tfie garden gate. Mr. and Mra. Graham were much boloved by M:ujris and Europeans alike for their kind, genial ways. No one ever entered their without bointr at least otlered refreshments of some kind. During the Maori troubles, when dangers and death Mere in the wind, and when almost all the other settlers had cleared out of that district for their lives, Mr. Graham and his family romained still, being assured by friendly natives that they would protect and, if need be, fight for "Father Graham," as they called him. About three years ago Mr. aud Mrs. Graham celebrated their golden wedding. A crowd of their descendants of the first, second, third, and fourth generations were present. Several handsome gifts were given to Mrs. Graham. Mr. Graham in all his concerns was very orderly, had a time to do everything, and a place to hang up or stow away everything after being labelled. His watch had to be wound up at a certain time every night, counting the turns of the key to make certain. He had a tine garden and orchard, full of fruits, flowers, and rare plants. He grow and cured his own tea, and used it in his household for several years. The day he died, the 20th August, lie got up and dressed ; saw two of his grandsons push off from the beach for their fishing ground, and bade them good morning, and wished them success. In two hours after he was dead. A remarkable incident took place about half-an-hour before he died. His witch stopped, and could not be sot agoing again, analogous to " Grandfather's Clock "—" Sfcopp'ci, short, never to go again." The femoral was a large one. It seemed half-a-mile long. Many were on horseback, some on foot, and others in wheeled vehicles. Tho coffin was covered with immortelles and othor floral wreaths. Tlie plate showed the old gentleman to be ?3 years .old. The Rev. Mr. Comrie conducted the service at the grave in a most impressive manner.