DEATHS OF VETERANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 12

DEATHS OF VETERANS.

MR. A. V. HARRISON,

NINETY YEARS OF AGE.

ORIGINAL TARANAKI SETTLER

A 90-years-old veteran of the Maori Wars, Mr. Alfred Valentine Harrison, died yesterday at his son's residence, Manurcwa. I'/f was another of (lie fast-dis-appearing band of settlors who knew New Zealand in the early forties, having landed at Now Plymouth in 1841 in the ship William Bryan.

Mr. Harrison was born at Exeter. England, on December 10, 1838, arid left for New Zealand two years later with his father and brothers. There were only three white men in Taranaki when they landed and the family lived for some time in raupo huts the Maoris built for them* In 1845 he came to Auckland in a littlo trading schooner. In those days the Waitomata extended up to Shortland Street and' tho stream running where Queen Street now is was boarded over at frequent intervals to enable the few settlers to cross from one side to the other. Toward the end of the forties news reached New Zealand of the discovery of rich goldfielc's in California, and when a ship arrived at Auckland from Sydney on her way to San Francisco Mr. Harrison's father decided to go north to try his luck with his sons. Tho party was very successful on the goldfields and by 1852 had amassed nearly £2OOO, a very considerable sum in those days. They returned to New Zealand in 1852 after a disappointing visit to the Australian goldfields. Mr. Harrison then tried his hand at the goldlield at Gabriel's Gully, Otago, earning an average of £ls a day for three months.

On August 1, 1862, Mr. Harrison married Miss Hannah Dean. With the outbreak of the Maori wars in 1863, lie joined (lie militia and then followed seven years of strenuous campaigning. He took part in many skirmishes and was a member of tho force which clashed with Te Kooti's party near Napier. Tho only mishap that befel him during the period was a painful accident, resulting in both his legs being badly crushed. lie was helping to build a culvert near Napier when a largo log rolled over on him.

At the conclusion of the Maori wars Mr. Harrison engaged in farming, first in the Taranaki district and later in Hawke's Bay. Later, farming was varied' with gum-digging in the North Auckland district.

He is survived by his widow, four daughters and five sons, while there are 14 grandchildren. The interment will take place at the Papakura Cemetery this afternoon. AN AUCKLAND PIONEER. SERVICE IN WAIKATO WAR. A well-known Maori War veteran, Mr. John JLSain, died at his residence, \Yunganui Avenue, Heme Bay, on Saturday, aged 86. He was one of the oldest Europeans born in the Auckland district, being born at the Cornwallis settlement, where his parents had proceeded upon their arrival from England. The Bain ' family came to New Zealand in the barque Brilliant in 1841, and for the past 14 years Mr. John Bain had been the recipient of an annual cheque for £5 bequeathed by the late Mr. J. M. McLachlan to the oldest descendant of the barque's passengers. The presentation of the cheque each year by the Mayor of Auckland was one of the happiest incidents of tho old colonists' reunions. Tho settlement at Cornwallis was .not proceeded with and the Bain family removed to Auckland, where the son went to school in a building that occupied the site of the present St. James' Theatre. On reaching the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a carpenter, but on tho outbreak of war in the Waikato he joined the colours and saw active service for many years. When peace was declared he became engaged in a succession of occupations, which included firewood cutting in the Waikato and flaxniilling. Mr. IBain was given charge of several flaxmills in different parts of the province and he invented a new process of washing the raw material. Other experiences in a varied career were his participation in the construction of a lighthouse in Hawke's Bay. the building of several schools in Auckland and gold-digging at the Thames. He is survived by his widow. The funeral will take place this afternoon, the interment being at Waikumete Cemetery.