OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 12

OBITUARY.

3 ' MRS. SEEKING H. MATTHEWS. The death occurred yesterday at her residence in Waitemata Street, Ponsonby, of an : old colonist, Mrs. Seering; H- Matthews, aged 84 years.' She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Edward Wall, and her mother was a daughter of the late Mr. William Gorrie. Mrs. Matthews was born on April 6, 1842, at the Bay of: Islands, and during Heka's war left for England and America, returning to New Zealand About 1846. Her father, on arrival at Auckland, established a shipwright business on the foreshore at the foot of Fort Britomart and there the family resided for some years. Mrs. Matthews was educated at Auckland Academy under her uncle, the Rev. J. Gorrie, and was married on August 21, 1862, by the ,Rev, Thomas Hamer. Her sisters, Mr?. W. B. Upton, Mrs. Cains and Mrs. Noble have prp-decnased her. She is survived by four daughters and four sons. MR. JOHN WRIGHT. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT- ] WHANGABEI, Thursday. The death occurred at the Whangarei Hospital last night of Mr. John Wright, a pioneer of the Whangarei district. Mr. Wright was born in Wellington in 1852. He attended school in Auckland, where his father, the late Mr. George Wright, had a timber milling business. Upon the death of his father Mr. Wright engaged in farming operations at Maungakaramea, subsequentlvpurcha&ing a larger place at. Ruakaka. "He later settled at Waikaraka, and then returned to live at Kamo Springs. Mr. Wright leaves a widow and nine children. MR. A. E. COPPING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursd*y. The death of Mr. A. E. Copping, which occurred at Stratford last night, will be greatly regretted by journalists iu all parts of the Dominion, as well as by a wide circle of friends. Before coming to Stratford in 1904 to take charge of the Post, Mr. Copping had . long journalistic experience in the So&th Island and the Wairarapa. About a year ago, owing to ill-health, he sought a chattgo and lighter responsibilities at Gisborna, and although for a time his health improved he never really recovered.

MRS. ANNIE BRACKEN HAMERTON. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday. The death of Mrs. Annie Bracken Hamerton, which occurred at Ingle Wood this week, at the age of 89, removes another of the few remaining settlers who were in Taranaki during and before the Maori War. Mrs. Hamerton was born at Luddenden, Yorkshire, and came to New Zealand with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. Hirst, in 1851. The voyage from London to Auckland was a most disastrous one, the ship Gwalior being nnseaworthy to a degree. The ship called at Capetown for repairs, water and provisions, and the crew, with one exception, deserted. When a new crew was signed on an active young seaman was engaged as fourth officer and it was mainly through his untiring watchfulness that* the ship eventually sailed into Auckland Harbour This young officer was Mr. Chantrey Harris. During the continuation of the voyage to Otago the captain jumped overboard and was drowned. Mrs. Hamert-on's family first settled at Bell Block, where they took a full share of pioneering work. Miss Hirst was married to the late Mr. Lewis Hamerton in 1860, just before the outbreak of hostilities with the Maoris. With, other women she sought shelter in New Plymouth and later Nelson, while men remfiined to guard the homes. After her reiurn the family resided at Inglewood and has remained there siv:-- 3 . Mrs. Hamerton possessed a charming personality, and in spite of her advanced age her mind and memory were wonderfully clear! She is survived by five daughters jwL- one son.