OBITUARY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 499, 22 July 1932, Page 5

OBITUARY

MRS. J. GIBSON " ! V/ELL-KNOWN PATEA RESIDENT PATEA, Thursday. —Associations with the early days of Patea were recalled to-day with the passing of Mrs. John Gibson, at her home in Egmont Street, shortly after nine o’clock in the morning. Mrs Gibson had been in failing health for some months past, although she was still active in mind and body. On Wednesday evening she suffered a stroke and passed away peacefully to-day. Born in Wanganui in 1851, Mrs. Gibson was a daughter of Mr. Dan McGregor, who was one of the early pioneers who took up’land in Wanganui. She was one of a large family, of whom tfiv o sisters, Mrs Fred Riddiford (Marton) and Mrs. P. L. Cameron (Wanganui), are still alive. The late Mr. John Gibson used to walk down to Wanganui along the beach to do his banking and met Mrs Gibson at Wanganui during one of his visits. In 1872 they were married. Mrs Gibson rode by horseback to Patea on her wedding day along the coast. Their first home was in a house built near the present Gibson Stores, which Mr. Gibson founded, now stand. In the ’Bos the present home was built further north in Egmont Street and the family of 11 was brought up there. Mr and Mrs. Gibson always took a full interest in horticulture, and the garden of their home soon became well known on account of its beauty. They both took a large part in movements directed for the betterment of Patea. Mrs. Gibson was one of the fast disappearing type of early New Zealand pioneers—a type that gave inspiral ion. Although she was of a retiring disposition her influence for good was strongly felt wherever she went. Her family of 11 children are all alive to-day. Those living in Patea are Mrs. S. Mcßae and Misses Tui, Nell and Bessie Gibson. The others are Mesdames Jones, of Waikanae, Grainger (Wellington). Reid (Wellington) and Messrs. W. Gibson, J. Gibson (Wellington), Fred Gibson (Levin) and Richard (Patea), SERGEANT-MAJOR J. W. DOMNEY WANGANUI, To-day.—The death occurred of Sergeant-Major J. W. Domuey, a member of the Main Body, lie was seriously wounded at Gallipoli and on his return acted as ire st ructor at Trent ham and Featherston till the close of the war. He then was stationed at Daunevirke, Marton and Wanganui until a year ago, when lie retired owing to ill-health. He was the holder of three service medals. . i