THE EARLY PIONEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16308, 15 August 1916, Page 9

THE EARLY PIONEERS.

A DIMINISHING BAND.

DEATH OF MRS. MITCHELL.

MAORI WAR EXPERIENCES

I The few remaining pioneers conversant , with the first Maori war sustained I another loss on Sunday, in the death, J at her son's residence, Newton Road, of Mrs. Julia Mitchell. The deceased, who was the widow of the late Captain John Mitchell, was born at Xaas. Tipperary. Ireland, in 1827. She arrived in Australia in the oariv forties, with her parents, her father being at- , tached to the 58th Imperial Regiment, In 1847. she married her late husband, ! who was also attached to the 58th Regi- | ment, and took up her residence in the Dominion in the same vear. Captain Mitchell took" part in the first | -Maori war. known as Hone Heke's war. j in whuh he was wounded, and when hiregiment returned to England he resigned and settled, with his familv, in the Auckland Province. Subsequentlv he was appointed in charge of the* Covernment Armoury and Stores Department, in which capacity he acted during the second Maori war. He was also one of the first drill instructors to the old Auckl land Rifle Volunteers, for the formation , of which he was an active worker. j The close connection which her busI band had had with the Maori wars had provided the deceased with a funff of I anecdote, with which she never failed to interest her larcre circle of friends. One of her most exciting reminiscences was of being confined, together with the other women and children of the town, in the old Albert Barracks for protection from the Maoris, who were at that time threatening the town, and were mustered in force at Mechanics' Bay. The deceased is survived by four daughters and two sons. 24 grandchildren, and a large number of great-grandchildren. One of the daughters is Lady OiLbes. wife of Sir Ed. Oibbes. late Director of Education, of Wellington. The funeral, which will be private, takes place at the Waikumete Cemetery to-day.

MR, JAMES SCOTTER _Mr. James Scotter, an old resident of Newmarket, died at his residence in Park Road East yesterday, in his 76th year, after a short illness. Deceased, who was a native of Norfolk, England, had lived in Auckland for nearly 70 years, having arrived here as a boy of seven years of age. His father for many years was engaped in the blacksmithinp business in Newmarket, and deceased himself afterwards carried on the same business, from which he retired several years ago. He had been a member of the Newmarket Methodist Church for many years, and he was married in the Grafton Road Church about 46 years age. He leaves a widowbut no family.