OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21717, 5 February 1934, Page 12

OBITUARY

MES. MAEION CAHILL

STIRRING DAYS RECALLED REFUGE FROM THE MAORIS The death of one of Auckland's early pioneers, Mrs. Marion Cahill, formerly of Thames, occurred last week after a long illness. Born in Strathavon, Scotland, 84 years ago, she arrived with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Miller, in Auckland on the last voyage of the ship Joseph Fletcher, in August, 1859. They settled in the Wairoa South district, engaging in farming in the vicinity of Clevedon. Three years later her mother died, leaving a family of seven children. About this time tho Maoris were becoming restless, but at tho outbreak of hostilities a friendly Maori warned them of the approach of hostile tribes, and they and other families were able to take refuge in Mr. Joshua Thorpe's large house at Clevedon until the immediate danger had passed. On returning to their home, however, the Millers found that, with the exception of a bottle of medicine on the kitchen table,' the house had been denuded by tho Maoris of everything movable. They had to return to Sir. Thorpe's residence, a trying march through dense bush, with hostile natives close at hand. A cutter had arrived from Auckland to remove the women and children of the district, but the danger was not yet over. The ship went aground in the riverj and an anxious time was spent waiting for the next tide to float her off.

The deceased was married to Mr. Matthew Cahill in 1866, and went to reside at Thames, where she made her home for over forty years, eventually coming back to Auckland. She had some stirring tales to tell of the hardships and dangers of those early days. Her husband predeceased her in 1912. The late Mrs. Cahill reared a family of seven sons and eight daughters, of whom two sons and six daughters are still living. They are: —Mr. W. J. Cahill (St. Heliers Bay), Mr. N. Cahill (Bayswater), Mrs. H. Lever (Papakura), Mrs. J. Broom, Mrs. A. Cutforth; Mrs. -R. Phillips, Mrs. Holland and Miss M. Cahill, all of Auckland. There are 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. MR. S. L. HALL [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTOISr, Saturday The death has occurred of Mr. Stephen Leedham Hall, aged 50, who, for the past 28 years had been a member of the Evening Post front office staff. Mr. Hall was born in Sydney, and at an early age entered a legal office. After serving with the Daily Telegraph and other well-known Sydney newspapers, Mr. Hall came to New Zealand in 1906. Deceased was noted for the prominent part he took in lodge work. He was a member of the Taia Masonic Lodge, Kilbirnie, being secretary for a number of years, secretary of the Melrose Lodge, T£.A.O.D., and worshipful master of the Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 95, besides being a trustee of the Grand Lodge of Druids. He also took a keen interest in church work, for many years being connected with St. Jude's Anglican Church, Lyall Bay. He is survived by his wife, five daughters and two sons.