OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23408, 15 January 1938, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR H. S. PANKHURST

The death has occurred of Mr Howell Stevens Pankhurst, of Longwood, at the age of 81 years. Mr Pankhurst was one of the first, if not the first, white boys born in Riverton. He was born on April 16, 1857. He was called after Captains John Howell and Stevens.

In the early years of his life Mr Pankhurst was punting timber which was used for the erection of the original Aparima traffic bridge. His desire for adventure led him to join a party of sealers which was operating round the West Coast during the sixties and seventies, and during his association with these men at this strenuous work he developed a splendid physique, which gained for him the reputation of being one of the best of Riverton’s pioneer oarsmen. Mr Pankhurst was married at the age of 24 years to Miss Margaret McDonald, the eldest daughter of Mr Alexander McDonald, on December 23, 1891. The marriage took place at Otaitai Bush and then he returned to Riverton, where he lived for two years. He went to Longwood in 1883 and settled down to farming for the rest of his life.

Mr Pankhurst’s name will always be associated with the early history of rowing in Southland, and _ especially with the first New Zealand eight, which was built in 1887 at Riverton by Messrs J. Roberts and W. Thomas. In the early sixties regattas were held at Riverton, when Riverton men rowed against crews from visiting ships, and Mr Pankhurst rowed in these races. Few have heard of the oarsmen who rowed in the eight for over 25 miles from Kingston to Queenstown after having it carted by wagon over 100 miles of rough road to Kingston. Mr Pankhurst was a member of that crew. He was also a supporter of football, having played with Mr Thomas Howell in the first team formed in Riverton. He was also interested in cricket, and the cricket club formed at Riverton in the early days of its history benefited a great deal from the assistance given by Mr Pankhurst. Mr Pankhurst and Mrs Pankhurst celebrated their golden wedding in 1931. He is survived by a widow, four sons and two daughters, Messrs J. A. Pankhurst, Longwood, C. H. Pankhurst, Gummies Bush, E. A. Pankhurst, Wyndham, and E. G. Pankhurst, Grassmere, Invercargill and Mrs E. M. Martin, Longwood and Mrs M. E. Lapham, Tuatapere. He had 18 grandchildren.

MR T. TANNER

(United Press Association) TAURANGA, January 13. The death occurred this morning of Mr Thomas Tanner, one of the oldest

residents of Tauranga. He was bom in September 1848 on his father’s farm at Brandon, County Cork, Ireland. At the age of 23 years he left for the United States, where he worked with the Detroit Railway Company for a short time. He later returned to England, and left for New Zealand with his father and family.

MR F. WEBB-JONES

(United Press Association) WANGANUI, January 14. The death occurred last evening of Mr F. Webb-Jones, editor of The Wanganui Herald for 35 years, at the age of 74 years. Bom in Wanganui in 1864, he took an active interest in public affairs and was a member of the Patriotic Society and Development League, being the first president of the latter body. He also took an active interest in the Methodist Church for over half a century, was circuit steward for nearly 30 years and Sunday school superintendent for 25 years, besides being for many years a delegate to the annual

conference of the Methodist Church. He was a prominent Mason, and was well known in bowling circles, being a foundation member of the Gonville Club.