PIONEER’S DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 841, 9 December 1929, Page 10

PIONEER’S DEATH

MR. C. J. BROOK’S EVENTFUL CAREER MAORI WAR VETERAN Auckland pioneer, digger of gold in Coromandel, and Maori War veteran. Mr. Charles John Brook died at his home in Takutai Street, Parnell, yesterday, at the age of 84, after an adventurous life. Born in London, Mr. Brook came to New Zealand in 1861 with his parents and family, arriving in Auckland in the sailing ship Zealandia. The family settled in a hut at, Parnell, which was a wilderness in those days, but when reports of the finding of gold in the Coromandel district were received, he, with his father and uncle, tried their luck but were unsuccessful. When the Waikato War broke out Mr. Brook joined the militia. He nearly lost his life ambushed by Maoris near Drury, two officers being killed. The others managed to reach a nearby church, which gave them safety. He then sailed the seas for some time, eventually signing off in London, where he was married. After working for some time he returned to Auckland with his wife in 1869, and in 1872 started farming at Awhitu, but gave it up 10 years later owing to trade depression. In 1883 he commenced business as a builder in Auckland and followed that occupation until 1909, when ill-health compelled him to retire. At one time he was a member of tlie Manukau County Council and the Parnell Borough Council, He filled various posts in local bodies He was a warden of St. Mary’s Cathedral and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Brook celebrated their golden wedding in August, 1927. Of «. family of 12 children, four daughetrs, Mrs. Arthur Lee, of Awhitu, Mrs. R. Maxwell, of Mrs. C. Munro, of Parnell, and Miss Brook, of Parnell, and two sons, Mr. IT. Brook, of Auckland, and Mr. A. Brook, of Thames, are living. There arp 22 or 23 grandchildren and seven gr ea t - gr a pd children.