PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL

The death is reported of the Rev. J. A. McNickle, formerly principal of Te Aute College, Hawke’s Bay. Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., of Wanganui, and formerly of New Plymouth, spent the week-end in New Plymouth. Captain D. C. Low, M.D., Ch.B., of Trentham military camp, has been appointed resident surgeon of Nelson Hospital. Captain Low is a son of Mr. D. W. Low, headmaster of the College Street school, Palmerston North.

The death of Major Daniel Henderson Lusk, of Auckland, is announced in a Press telegram. The late Major Lusk, who was 88, arrived in New Zealand in 1849, and was one of the party that laid out Christchurch city in ‘ 1863. He organised a corps of forest rangers and volunteers, with whom he did good service in the Maori wars on account of his special knowledge of the bush. Major Lusk was placed in command of the transport service at Te Awamqtu and took part in the siege of Orakau in 1868. When in command of the Waiuku and Wairoa district Major Lusk marched 300 men nearly 30 miles within 24 hours, and lie was instrumental in compelling Te Kooti Hauhau, the leader, to leave the district. In 1878 he retired from the command of the Waiuku and WafFok districts.

The death occurred at New Plymouth on Friday, at the age of 84 years, of Mrs. Elizabeth Laurent. The late Mrs. Laurent was predeceased by her husband. Mr. M. M. M. R. de St. Laurent, by about two years, and it was their lot t(\ be one of the few couples in New Zealand who have celebrated the silver, golden and, diamond anniversaries of their wedding. As Miss Elizabeth Scott, the deceased lady came to New Zealand in 1850. She was married when 19 years of age, and, continuing to reside in Wellington for nearly another quarter of a century, was able to watch its growth from a small settlement to a city. Nearly 30 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Laurent came to Taranaki to go on the land. Their first farm was at and they removed* to the Hawera district about eleven years ago. Of eleven children (seven boys and four girls), nine are still surviving, they being: Messrs. W. J. Laurent (Hawera), L. F. Laurent (801 l Block), J. M. Laurent (Hawera), C. Laurent (Hawera), and G. Laurent (Bay of Plenty), all of whom are engaged in farming; and Mrs. C. Doman (Bay of Plenty), Mrs. E. G. Smith (Bell Block), Mrs. F. Lambert (Tarata), and Mrs. R. Hogg (New Plymouth). The late Mr. Laurent was a major in the French army before he came to New Zealand, and it happened that five of the second generation of his descendants took an active part in the great war, one being Lieutenant H. J. Laurent, V.C.