PIONEER PASSES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 227, 24 April 1933, Page 5

PIONEER PASSES

Mr. Peter Hunter's Death

STRATFORD IN THE EARLY

DAYS

In the death of Mr. Peter Hunter, aged 74 years, which occurred yesterday, there passed away one of the early-day pioneers and a man recognised throughout the province as one who had taken an active part in its development. The early days of Stratford were closely hound up with the activities of the late Mr. Hunter, who arrived in Taranaki when a youth of IS. He came out from the Shetland Islands, having been horn at, Whiteness in 185 S. He left school at an early age and was engaged with the fishing fleets until he left for New Zealand at the age of IS. He came straight to Taranaki and was engaged in milling, survey and htishfelling work about New Plymouth until his marriage, when he took a section on Norfelk Road. Shortly afterwards he came to Stratford and again hush-clearing, milling and survey work occupied his attention. Stratford was \liis headquarters hut he worked for a time in the Waimale district. Hi* home in this district was burned in the big hush fire of 1886 and in IS9O he took a section on East Road, which he farmed till lie retired to the town about- 20 years ago. He resided at Stratford ever since, and became actively engaged in several institutions

in the town. The late Mr. Hunter was the hist of the foundation members of the Forestoiv Lodge, Stratford .and he was always prominent in lodge matters. Similarly he was a member of the Stratford Acclimatisation Society

since its incept ion. for angling was his main hobby and he was known throughout the province in that connection. During the Parihaka trouble he was a member of the late Colonel (then Lieutenant) Malone's troop and later he joined the Stratford Volunteers.

The surviving members of Mr. I Hunter's family, his wife having died three years ago. are his sous, Messrs. G. P. and A. E. Hunter (Stratford) nail his daughter, Mrs. IT. J. Stanton (Eltham). The surviving brothers r.re Jfimcw and Robert (Inglewood) and the sisters Mosdames Zinzli (Wanganui), Martin (Tnumnrunui), Evctts (Inglswooil) and Williamson. (Rnholu).