EARLY RESIDENTS PASS ON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 27 June 1938, Page 4

EARLY RESIDENTS PASS ON

MRS. W. T. COATES, PUHA

DAUGHTER OF PIONEERS

The death occurred on Saturday afternoon of Mrs. Ethel Mary Coates, wife of Mr. W. T. Coates, Puha, and one of the most respected residents of the Waikohu County. The late Mrs. Coates had been ill only a few days, following a chill which led to pneumonia, and a great many of her friends throughout the district were not even aware that she was indisposed.

The deceased was the daughter of a pioneer family, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Price, being among the earliest "settlers of Patutahi, where they took up residence not long after the Massacre. Mrs. Coates spent her childhood and youth there, and was married in 1903 in Gisborne, proceeding with her husband to make their home in the Puha block. Following the pioneer tradition of her parents, Mrs. Coates was among the original residents of this block.

Her home was always a centre of social activity, and her interests were largely bound up with the welfare of the young people of her acquaintance. A devoted worker for the Anglican Church, she was a member of the Puha guild, a foundation member of the Puha Hall Committee, and one of the leaders in every district activity for the common good. The late Mrs. Coates is survived by her husband, four sons, Messrs. Hilton. Randall, Dudley and Robbie Coates, and one daughter, Miss Nancy Coates, all of whom reside in the Poverty Bay district with the exception of Mr. Dudley Coates, who lately took up an appointment in Napier. Deep sympathy will be extended to members of the family, in their bereavement. The funeral of the late Mrs. Coates was to take place this afternoon at the Ormond cemetery. MR. CHARLES PETERSEN KEEN LODGE MEMBER An early resident of Gisborne, Mr. Charles Peterson, of 110 Clifford street, died in the Cook Hospital on Saturday night, aged 73 years. In his young days, Mr. Peterson was employed as a driver for Messrs. Kennedy and Evans, and in the early eighties was in the J. Battery volunteers. In later years he followed the occupation of a gardener, but recently failing health prevented him carrying out his usual work. He had many good friends who assisted him when his health was not good, including those connected with Rostrevor Hospital.

The late Mr. Peterson was a member of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, Loyal Gisborne Lodge, which he joined 4G years ago. He was a very active member, and passed through the officers’ chairs with great credit to himself and to the order. The deceased held the position of guardian for a number of years, and represented the lodge at the district conference some years ago. During the many years in’ which he was connected with the lodge, he seldom missed a meeting or other gathering of lodge members even during his period of declining health.

So far as is known, there are no relatives in Gisborne. Deceased’s mother and only sister died many years ago, but two brothers are thought to be living elsewhere in New Zealand.

The interment took place at the Taruheru cemetery this afternoon, when a number of lodge members paid their last respects. The burial service was conducted by Pastor L. R. Usmar.

The death has occurred of Mr. John Cook, Onehunga, at the age of 00 years. Mr. Cook was born at Walkerbunn.. Peebles, Scotland, and gained experience there in the woollen trade. In 1882, when the Oamaru woollen mills were established, he was selected as one of the original staff and arrived at Port Chalmers with his wife and two children on the ship Nelson.