OBITUARY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13074, 7 October 1935, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MRS. M. A. BAYLISS A PIONEER RESIDENT. The death occurred at her late residence, 132 Church Street, Palmerston North, on Wednesday evening, of Mrs Mary Anne Bayliss, who was in her 96th year, it being only on last Tuesday that Mrs Bayliss had reached her 95th birthday. Her passing followed several months of failing health. Born in Bristol 3 Gloucestershire, in 1840, Mrs Bayliss, then Miss Williams, came to New Zealand with her parents in 1859 in the barque Queen of the Avon, landing in Wellington after a long and hazardous trip of more than six months in this small sailing vessel, it is believed that she was the last of all the persons who were carried on that voyage. Wellington in those days was but a small and primitive town, and a landing was made on the beach, which is now the site of that wide and model n thoroughfare, Lambton Quay, extensive reclamation in subsequent years having encroached upon the sea area. During their residence in Wellington the family lived in Willis Street, where Mrs Bayliss’s father owned a. number of properties. After residing there for five years a move was made to Upper Hutt, the family taking up their residence at that part known as Trentham. It was here that Mrs Bayliss was married to Mr James Bayliss, who predeceased her by some 22 years. In those days the Hutt was the scene of a. great deal of trouble and unrest with the Maoris, who were very numerous. It was owing to the constant fear of a Maori rising and an agitation for some means of defence in case of emergency, that the historic “stockade” (now called the “blockade”) was built on the Bayliss property. This building, which is still in a good state of preservation, was secured by the Government some years ago, to be preserved as a feature of historical interest and a connecting link with the early history of New Zealand, and also as a reminder of one of the hazards to which the earliest pioneers wore subjected. A large family of ten sons and two daughters were cared for at Trentham, and in 1882 the family moved to the Carterton district, where Mr Bayliss was engaged in farming pursuits. Mr and Mrs Bayliss resided there for a number of years, the family being very wellknown and highly respected throughout the district. Some 33 years ago

a. move was made to Palmerston North where, except for one or two short periods, Mrs Bayliss had resided ever since. Of the family eight sons and one daughter survive their mother. Tho sons are James (St. Helier’s Bay, Auckland), William (Tauranga), Thomas (Tauranga), Henry (Turua), Alfred (Takapau), Herbert (Greytown), Leonard (Palmerston North), Stanley (Palmerston North), and the daughter Mrs Rosina King (Pallerston North). There are 27 grandchildren and 34 great-grand-children. The late Mrs W. H. Murch, of Pahiatua, was a. granddaughter and Mr “Buster” Murch is a greatgrandson. The deceased was also an aunt <|f Messrs H. Cotter (Ngaturi) and G. H. Brown (Pahiatua). Three sons were farming in this district at one time, two at Konini and ono at Mangatainoka.