OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20882, 26 May 1931, Page 12

OBITUARY.

MRS. DINAH COULTER

One of the first two settlers in the Fairburn district, Kaitaia, Mrs. Diriah Coulter, died recently at the age of 84 years. Born at County Down, Ireland, she lived for some time in England before she came to New Zealand in the sailing ship Waikato, arriving at Auckland on November 14, 1879. The vessel brought over 200 immigrants, of whom 60 were English, 40 Scotch and 150 Irish. Shortly after her arrival she married Mr. Thomas Coulter, soon afterwards going with him to Kaitaia, where they were the first pioneers in the district. The country was in virgin bush and many difficulties had to be overcome before even a reasonable home could be built. Mrs. Coulter retained vivid memories of the hardships and perils of those early days. Mr. Coulter died about 12 years ago. In August, 1929. Mrs. Coulter celebrated the 50th anniversary of her arrival at Kaitaia, where she continued to live with her sons after the death of her husband. „ Mrs Coulter is survived by three sons: —Messrs. J. P. Coulter and P. J. Coulter, of Fairburn, Kaitaia, and Mr. W. H. Coulter, of Wellington. There are 24 grandchildren and four great-grand-children.

MRS. MARIA HILL. A resident of Auckland for 88 years, Mrs. Maria Hill died 011 Sunday at the age of 98 Mis. Hill remembered her arrival at Auckland April 1, 1843. At that time Auckland was a primitive settlement. No accommodation was available for new settlers, and Mrs. Hill, who came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rose, in the barque Westminster, spent her first days 111 New Zealand in a rude raupo whare near the site of the Supreme Court. Mrs. Hill's father was engaged to mstnl flax-dressing machinery at Maretahi and then at Northern Wairoa. The family stayed for two years at Northern Wairoa. Mr. Rose was engaged in the building trade 011 his return to Auckland. Most of the business houses were in Sliortland Street, and Queen Street was beginning to show indications of its ultimate prominence. In those early years, when New Zealand's future was indefinite, employment was not plentiful and labourers received only 2s and 3s a day. Mrs. Hill was married in 1852 by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher in High Street Chapel, now the Lands Registry Office, her husband being the son of the owner of a considerable property at Hillsborough, which was named after Mr. Hill, sen. Mr. and Mrs. Hill went to Dunedin foi two years, in 1861, following the discovery of gold in Central Olago. Mrs. Hill had been a resident of Auckland ever since their return. A son, Mr. W. J. Hill, of 95. Burnley Terrace, Dominion Road, survives Mrs. Hill.

MR. J. A. SMITH

MR. F. A. BALL.

After .1 long illness the death has occurred of Mr. Joseph Alexander Smith, of Matakana, at the ape of 83 years. Born at Auckland in 1848. Mr. Smith spent his boyhood in Matakana and later traded with his brother, Captain Thomas Smith, between Matakana and Auckland in their cutter the Sunipta. Upon the discovery of gold on the West Coast Mr. Smith joined a party of prospectors and sought his fortune on the Grey and Teremnkau Rivers. Returning to Matakana, Mr. Smith married Miss Marjorie Wallace, eldest daughter of Mr. G. B. A. Wnllnco. ETe took over the management of a farm for Mr. Johnson, of Parnell, a position which he held for several years. Later he became foreman for Sir George Grey at Kawau Island and he was also foreman for subsequent owners. lie afterwards returned to Matakana, where ho was actively engaged in fanning until the time of his death. Mrs. Smith died 19 years ago. The family consisted of the late Captain James Smith, Mr. T. J. Smith* of Matakana, Mr. G. TL Smith, headmaster of Port Albert School; Mr W. J. Smith, dairy instructor at P»!incrston North; Mrs. E. A. Vipond, of Whancaripo; Mrs. W. Mills and Mrs. S. Mills, of Auckland, and Mrs. G. R. Hews,on, of Rirkenhead.

[from our own CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA. Monday. The death occurred suddenly at Mount Maunganui last week of Mr. Francis A. Ball, who served in the machine gun corps with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Great War. He was born in Surrey. About 25 years ago he came to New Zealand and prior to the war resided in North Auckland. He was single and had no relatives in this district. The late Mr. Ball was a notable chess player and was an authority on New Zealand shellt.