MANGERE PIONEER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1013, 2 July 1930, Page 10

MANGERE PIONEER

DEATH OF MR. JAMES ROBERTSON WAS 96 YEARS OLD Auckland has lost one of its oldest pioneers and Mangere one of .its earliest settlers by the death of Mr. James Robertson, who died at his residence at Mangere at 9 o’clock this morning. Mr. Robertson, who would have celebrated his 96th birthday on July 12, is one of the lew remaining survivors of those who arrived on October 9, 1842, by the sailing ship Duchess of Argyle. He was born in Glasgow. Scotland, and Auckland was in its infancy when as a boy lie arrived here with his parents SS years ago.

The Robertson family first lived in a raupo whare at Mechanics Bay and later a small wooden cottage was built. The father established himself as a rope-maker, the trade he had followed in Glasgow, but. as few ships were arriving there was a very poor market. He then decided to take up farming and bought land at Mangere. to which he sent his son James, who was then only 15 years of age. For about IS months Mr. James Robertson was alone in a whare, but the Hall brothers then purchased adjourning land and stayed with him until his parents joined him six months later. FRIENDLY WITH MAORIS At that time Mangere was a large Maori settlement, and there were whares all along the shores of the Manukau Harbour. It was quite a common sight for Mr. Janies Robertson to see as many ai 1, Maoris at a time cross his land on their way to the Waikato. It did not take him long to become an accomplished Maori linguist ttnd lie was on very friendly terms with the natives. About 60 years ago, Mr. Robertson married Miss Kate Farrell, who had come to New Zealand from India. She died 47 years ago, leaving eight children. Mr. Robertson later married Mrs. McKee, formerly Miss Loui*sa Pegler.

In later life Air. Robertson belonged to the Otahulm Cavalry. Ho V /as a member of the first council of Mangere and was instrumental in having the first metal road laid in the district. After having resided at Mangere for more than 80 years, Mr. Robertson still retained the farm on which he lived as a lad of 2 5 in a raupo whare. In ISS2, on the death of his father, Mr. Robertson was made a Justice ot the Peace. He is survived by two daughters and three sons, namely Mrs. J. B. Crawford, Mrs. II G. Margetts, Messrs. C. J. Robertson, p. B. Robertson and A. H. Robertson. There are 11 grandchildren and one S re a t -g r a n d c h i 1 d. The funeral will take place on Friday at the Mangere cemetery.