LINK WITH EARLY BAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18387, 1 May 1923, Page 8

LINK WITH EARLY BAYS.

.V -' *"• .-• '." . «o> ... Vsy.";* DEATH OF MR. FLOWER DAY; ' OLD RESIDENT" RUSSELL. A link with the earliest days of Now Zealstnd was severed recently by the death of ( . one of .Russell's oldest r&sidents, Mr. W. E. . Flowerday, in his 71st year. Mr. Floweri day's mother 'was born at the Bay of 1 Islands, and was a sister of Mrs. Lethe- , ridge, who is believed to have , been the first white woman born in Now Zealand. , Her father; was Captain Hansen, who was ; in charge of : the- mission ; brig - Active,. : which brought the Rev: ■ Samuel Marsden ' from Sydney to the; Bay of Islands • in ( 1814. Mr. Flowerday'sv father was a memi ber of the crew of . the brig Harriet,, com-, ' marided by Captain R. Hall, which sailed ' from Sydney for Cloudy Bay, New Zealand, in 1834. The vessel, was driven ' ashore at Cape Egmorit and smashed to pieces on the rocks. The 30 persons on I board reached the shore, but were attacked bv the Maoris, and only 14, including Mr. ' Flowerday, sen., escaped with their Jives. They were later captured by another body ' of Maoris and made slaves, but were • eventually rescued. Mr. Flowerday. was a ' .bootmaker by • trade, but for some yearsprior' to his death had been employed by the Bay of . Islands Harbour Board., Ho 'had many interesting reminiscences of the eady days.- ■ Ho was a . widower, but is survivediby two sons ; and. six { daughters.;