NEW ZEALAND PIONEER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND PIONEER

DEATH AT EIGHTY-THREE MR. CHARLES BONNER BORN ON IMMIGRANT SHIP [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] PUKEKOHE, Thursday Born on an immigrant ship as it entered the Manukau Harbour in 1849, Mr. Charles Bonner, aged 83 years, whose death occurred at Christchurch on Monday, had his full share of the adventures of the pioneering days. Mr. Bpnner's parents hacP as their first home a raupo whare at Onebunga, later replaced by a cottage, which is still standing. As a boy, Mr. Bonner used to make trips to Auckland, and to recall diving of! the rocks where Fort Street fs now. Later, he acted as mailman, carrying mails from Auckland to Onebunga on a donkey. A glare in the sky, which denoted a building on fire in the city, would lead to youths in Onehunga running all the way into town in the hope of being in time to see something of the conflagration. Mr. Bonner was once on the Thames goldfields, but, fortune evaded him there. During the Maori War he served in the Armed Constabulary. He was a man of great physique, being over 6ft. in height, and was a noted athlete and horseman. He was in the permanent artillery at Lyttelton after the Maori War, and there became an instructor in the police force. He joined the police and was stationed at Dunedin in the days when there was a cosmopolitan population attracted to that part of the counti} by the discovery of gold in Otago. For 13 years Mr. 'Bonner was in charge of the police station at Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu. While there he was called upon on many occasions to act as escort for coaches taking out gold. The escort rode alongside or behind the coach with a carbine slung over his shoulder and a revolver in a holster on Ins knee. In winter time, with snow covering the countryside, the ride of many miles in the open iii this way was a great test of endurance. On the death of his wife 26 years ago, Mr. Bonner was transferred to Invercargill. On the occasion of the visit to New Zealand of King George and Queen Mary, then the Duke and Duchess of York, Mr. Bonner was one of the police bodyguard which accompanied them on their tour through New Zealand. Since his retirement 18 years ago, Mr. Bonner has resided at Napier, Wanganui, Auckland, Pukekohe and Christchurch. He took a keen interest in bowling and other sports, and was a popular member of the Pukekohe Bowling Club. Severely hindered in late years by being partly crippled, he was, nevertheless, amazingly cheerful. Mr. Bonner is survived by three sons and two daughters.

MR. PATRICK MARTIN EIGHTY-SIX YEARS' RESIDENCE The death occurred at Runciman on Tuesday of Mr. Patrick Martin, in his 91sfc year. „ i , . r Mr. Martin arrived in New Zealand about 86 years ago on the sailing ship Ann.'He was born at . the Chatham Barracks, Ireland, and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Martin. His parents settled at Otahuhu. As a youth, Mr. Martin served during the Maori War at the redoubts at Kerikeri and Drury, and in the Waikato. About 63 years ago he married Miss Charlotte Smith, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Smith, pioneers of Wairoa, now Clevedon. Mr. Martin took up farming at Hunua, when the countiy was covered with bush, and their house was built from pit-sawn timber obtained from giant kauri trees on the property. The journey to Hunua in those days was a hazardous one over a track from near where the Opaheke station is now situated. Mr. and Mrs. Martin lived at Hunua until about 11 years ago, when they went to live at Runciman. Mr. Martin was active until about six weeks ago. He was an enthusiastic gardener and , had remarkably keen eyesight. ' During the' last 10 years Mr. Martin visited Auckland City only , once, and he had never travelled in a motor-car in his • . .. Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, and there are two sons and five daughters. They are Messrs. W. Martin, of Putaruru; F. Martin, of Rotorua; and Mesdames L. Scoles, of Dargaville; W. J. Hawkins, of Birkenhead; L. Bell, of Mokoia; H. Smith, of Woodville; and E. Whitchurch, of Ruawai. There are 23 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.