OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23411, 29 July 1939, Page 16

OBITUARY

MISS HELENA LUNDON FIVE SISTERS' RECORD Tlie recent death of Miss Helena Hennessy Lundon, of Collingwood Street, Ponsonby, recalls a remarkable family record in the service of the Government by five daughters of the late Mr. John Lundon. M.P.for Mangonui and Bay of Islands from 1879 to ISBI. The-late Miss Lundon was born at Mangonui and educated at the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Onehunga. After some time as a schoolteacher, she was appointed to the staff of the Christchurch telephone exchange, and was later transferred to the Auckland _ exchange, where she served for many years until her retirement. Three of her four sisters, the Misses Cecilia, Annie and Clara Lundon, were pioneer native schoolteachers, who served in many remote parts of the Auckland Province. The two first mentioned became accomplished Maori linguists and were licensed as native interpreters of the first grade. Miss Cecilia Lundon died at her post and the surviving member of the trio, Miss Clara Lundon, retired 15 years ago. The remaining sister, the late Miss Matilda Lundon, had the unusual distinction as a young woman of becoming the licensee of the Wharf Hotel, Hokianga, during her father's term in Parliament. After ithe family moved to Onehunga she was for a time licensee of her father's hotel there, the Railway Terminus. When the original Auckland telephone exchange was provided with a female staff she was appointed to it and eventually became supervisor. At the time of her retirement she was postmistress at Dominion Road. The late Miss Helena Lundon was an active worker for Roman Catholic and undenominational charities. Shfe is survived by her sister Clara and by one brother, Mr. J. R. Lundon. The interment took place in the Roman Catholic section of tho Syinonds" Street Cemetery. MR. DAVID OROWHURST The death has occurred of an old Auckland resident, Mr. David William Crowjiurst, of Sunnyvale Road, Green Lane, in his 84th year. Mr. Crowlinrst was horn at Onehunga, his parents having arrived at Auckland in the 'forties with the oSth Regiment. As a young man he was coachman to the Hon. T. B. Gillies, a prominent figure in early colonial polities, and subsequently a Judge of the Supreme CourtLater lie became a gardener and followed that occupation for the rest of his life. Mr. Crowlinrst is survived by his wife, who Avas Miss Marianne Skinner, a daughter of Mr. Richard Skinner, of the oSth Regiment. Crowlinrst Street, Newmarket, was v named in honour of the family of an elder brother, the late Mr. Samuel Crowlinrst, five of whose sons served in the Great W'ar, three losing their lives. •