OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 16

OBITUARY

MR. CHARLES FITZPATRICK • A pioneer settler of the Papakura Valley, Mr. Charles Fitzpatrick, died yesterday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. J. Quaid, 14 Banff Avenue, Epsom, at the age of 99. In July, Mr. Fitzpatrick would have celebrated his 100 th birthday.

At the age of 16, Mr. Fitzpatrick left County Kilkennev, Ireland, for the Ballarat gold diggings, but finding the host claims already pegged, set out almost immediately for New Zealand to join in the early rush at Gabriel's Gully and Shotover. A year of good luck brought him substantial returns which he invested in a rich block of virgin land in the Papakura Valley. His fortune on the gold fields followed him on to the land and enabled him to develop a valuable farm of some 700 acres. He established a reputation as a breeder of heavy horses much in demand in Auckland. Ho was also known as a shrewd judge of stock and achieved notable success with sheep and cattle. Mr. Fitzpatrick is survived, by his wife, two sons and four daughters. MRS. W. S. WHITLEY The death has occurred of Mrs. W. S. Whitley, in her 72nd year. She was tlio elder daughter of the late Major W. Gordon and Mrs. Gordon, and was born in Auckland in 1866, She was the second wife of the late Mr. W. S. Whitley, of Auckland, to whom sho was married in 1917. He died in 1932.

MR. A. B. GHEZZI [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WAIUKU, Friday A life-long resident of the Wainku district, Mr. Albert Bailey Ghezzi, died this week at tho age of CO. He was tho fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Ghezzi, and * was born at Maioro, Wainku, where his parents wero among the pioneers. Mr. Ghezzi was one of the first to work in draining the Aka Aka and Otaua Plains, and later served on tho Otaua Drainage Board for several years. For the past 24 years lie farmed at Otaua, and was keenly interested in Shorthorn breeding. He was associated at different periods with the Waiuku Volunteer Mounted Rifles and the Franklin committee of the Automobile Association. Mr. Ghezzi is survived by his wife. MB. S. PILCHER [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] ' HAMILTON, Friday Tho death has occurred in Hamilton of Mr. Stephen Pilcher, aged 84 years. Born in Wellington, Mr. Pilcher as a child travelled with his parents to Clyde, Hawke's Bay, the long journey being made by pack-horse. With his brothers, Mr. Pilcher operated a threshing plant in tho Ha.vke's Bay district for many years. About 25 years ago. Mr. Pilcher came to the Waikato. where, until 1925, he was engaged in farming at Roto-o-rangi. Orini and Morrinsville. Since then lie had lived iji Hamilton. He is survived by his wife, seven daughters and two sons.