OBITUARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 1701, 17 April 1926, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR. A. W. GIFFORD

(Por Press Association.) BLENHEIM, this day

The death occurred yesterday at his residence, Rapaul, of Mr. A. William Gilford, one of .Marlborough's oldest settlers, who had resided in the district for seventeen years. Mr. Clifford was tho son of Mi". Isaac Clifford, one of the pioneer settlers of Nelson, and was born at Appleby, in the Nelson district, in 1846. When 26 years of age Mr Gilford, in partnership with his brother Thomas, purchased a property at Spring Creek, and ha later bought out his brother's interest. He look a keen interest in public affairs and was for many 'years a member of the Spring Creek Road Board; and the Spring Creek River Boacd, while he was also actively' associated with the Marlborough A. and P. Association and tho Farmers' Union for a very long period.. MR. JOHN HOLDEN. Mr. John Holden, of Hastings, whose death occurred at Royston hospital on Thursday, was a brother of Mr. Thomas rlolden, of Gishorne. The late Mr. Holden was an old and greatly respected pioneer of Hawke's Bay. He came out to New Zealand with his parents 70 »yeurs ago, and settled at Takapau. He was soon to learn the true hardships of the pioneer of the early days, for the. early death of his father added to his laborious work as a settler the supporting of his father's family. With the true spirit of the early' pioneei, he not only carried out that duty sulcessfully, but lived to prosper for his hard work. The late Mr. Holden, was predeceased by his wife some years ago. Mr. Thomas Holden, remarks the Hawke's Bay Herald, had 'been deceased's partner since their father's death, and to whom is due a large share, of his success. Another brother is Mr. Jonathan Holden, and deceased also leaves live sisters—Mesdames Waldrom, Morrison, Matthews, Spurrcll, find Timperley—and two grandsons. It is well know that in the early days of the province the late Mr. Holden gave substantial proof of his regard for the, Maori cause in spending his money in ■protecting their rights, and in' seeing that they got the fullest measure of justice in their treatment. Then, as had been tho case throughout his long and useful life, ho was a generous giver, and publicity was the last thing that he expected in return. __________ '