DEATH OF A VERY OLD COLONIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2083, 25 January 1894, Page 18

DEATH OF A VERY OLD COLONIST.

(Fhom Oub Own Cobbespondent.) Auckland, January 17. One of our very oldest identities has passed away in Mrs Ford, relict of the late Dr Ford, of Russell, at the advanced age of 83. The deceased lady arrived with her husband at the Bay of Islands from Sydney in 1835, Dr Ford Bottling in Paihia asasurgeon to the missionaries, which consisted of the brothers Williams, Messrs Kemp, Clarke, and Davis. Dr Ford's health gave way and he left the mission work and settled at Waihapu in 1842. On the day succeeding the sack of Kororareka (of which event and its surrounding circumstances even when four score Mrs Ford had a clear recollection) she received a letter from Hone Heke desiring that she would come to his camp at Uruti as he desired to see her. A chief named Paumuku had been killed in the previous day's fight, and one of Heke's requests was that Mrs Ford would get the body across to Paihia, so that the deceased chief might be buried at the Paihia mission station. Mrs Ford agreed to do co, and got seamen from an American warship to tow the body over to Paihia, she and some children going ahead with a flag. While this was 'going on Dr Ford was away oa board H.M.S. Hazard attending Captain Robertson, who had been wounded in action. Archdeacon Williams got uneasy at the isolated position of the Fords at Waihapu, and sent a boat across to bring thorn to Paihia. From thence tbey went on board the North Star, Sir Everard Howe, commander. Captain M'Keener, of the U.S. ship St. Louis, kindly sent some of his men to bring off as much of their effects as could be saved, and they came on into Auckland. In 1849 Dr Ford and Mrs Ford and family returned to the Bay of Islands, where the family have resided ever since. Mrs Ford had a kindly feeling towards the memory of Hone Heke. She stated that he was averse to the evacuation and sack of Kororeka, and exclaimed, "Why do you go away ? I have no quarrel with you ; the settlers should stand aside and let the Maoris and the Queen's soldiers fight it out." Mrs Ford was much esteemed and respected by a large number of old colonists for her kindly disposition and kindly virtues.