OBITUARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18255, 25 November 1933, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR. EDWIN MATTHEWS EARLY MAKAURI SETTLER The death of Mr. Edwin Matthews, which occurred early this morning, lias removed another of the district’s pioneers. He came to the district o 4 years ago, and for some time alter that was engaged in breaking in new country. During recent years deceased had been living with his son, Mr. Charles Matthews,' “Alyth,” Mangapapa, and had enjoyed good health right up to the time of his fatal illness, lie died peacefully at his son’s residence at the age of 86 years.

The late Mr. Matthews was a carpenter by trade, which he pursued up to the time of leaving for New Zealand, and for a short period after arriving here. He was married at Stockton, England, where bis son was born. They sailed for New Zealand in the sailing ship Rakaia, settling in Napier, where he was engaged in his trade. When Mr. Matthews came on to Gisborne six months later, he took up a section at Makauri, which was then undeveloped, and interested himself mainly at that time in mixed farming. Later, ho and his family moved to the Patutuhi district. At that time parts of the Patutahi district were almost in their virgin state, with very few fences and little semblance of roads. It was then that the well-known Te Ruanui station, Gentle Annie, was acquired by Mr. Matthews. This was in 1888, anil the property was in its virgin state, and the only access was by way of a pack track. Faced with this and other difficulties, he and bis son began their task of breaking the land in. Both took an active part in the felling of the bash, and they persevered for 14 years. His son was given the management of t.lio property, and in 1902 the late Mr. Matthews went to live at the Elleslea farm, on the Wairoa road, where he took up bee-farming on a large scale. This occupied him until 1913, when he and his wife undertook a voyage to England.

This proved to be the last voyage the late Mr. Matthews made with liis wife. L’hey were about to return in 1914, when Mrs. Matthews was stricken with an illness, from which she failed to recover. The late Mr. Matthews returned to New ■Zealand shortly after, and since then he had made three trips to the Old Country, the last occasion being six years ago. I The late Mr. Matthews is survived by | his sou, Mr. Charles Matthews, eight I grandchildren and two great-grandchild-ren. The interment is to be at the Taruiieru cemetery to-morrow afternoon, the funeral to leave Mr. Charles Matthews’ residence at 2.30. o’clock. MRS. P. LAWSON The death occurred yesterday of Mrs. Amelia Mary Lawson, of Tolaga Bay, and the sympathy of many friends will go out to her husband, Mr. Peter Lawson, The late Mrs. Lawson was born at Forest Gate, London, 75 years ago, and came to New Zealand 27 years ago. She Was married at Petone, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have been living at Tolaga Bay for some time. She is .survived by her husband. The interment will be at the Tolaga Bay cemetery to-morrow afternoon, and tho funeral will leave St. Andrew’s Church, Tolaga Bay, at 2 o’clock.