NORTHERN PIONEER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23191, 10 November 1938, Page 14

NORTHERN PIONEER

DEATH OF MRS. L. F. GARDNER INFLUENCE WITH THE MAORIS One of the many women who played a prominent part iu the development of North Auckland, Mrs. Louisa Felgate Gardner, died at her home, Matai Avenue, New Lynn, yesterday, in hei 89th year. The associations of Mrs. Gardners family with Xcw Zealand dated from the very early days of colonisation, her mother having arrived at Akaroa with her parents as a girl in 1838. . Mrs. Gardner was born in Wellington in ISSO. the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. 0. Clark, who were later wellknown residents of Hobsonville, where her father founded the pottery works. As a girl she displayed unusual character and ability and exercised considerable influence over the Maoris. At the age of 22 she married the late Mr. John Gardner and went to live at Glorit, where thev carried on farming operations on a large scale for many years until 1910, when they retired and came to live at New Lynn, where the sons had established brickworks.

The late Mrs. Gardner was a particularly good horsewoman and an excellent ' judge of cattle and horses.Among her many interests was that of gardening. Throughout her life she was a staunch adherent of the Presbyterian Church. Her husband died in 1913, and of the family of nine children there are seven still living. One is 11 r. C. F. Gardner, the first Mayor of New Lynn, and another Mr. 11. 0. Gardner, who is still connected with the brickmaking industry at New Lynn. Mr. Peter Gardner is farming the family property/ at Glorit. The surviving daughters live in Auckland.