MAORI WAR VETERAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1925, Page 7

MAORI WAR VETERAN.

DEATH OF MR. E. DE CASTRO. IN HIS NINETY-FIFTH YEAR. A very old resident of New Plymouth in the person of Mr. Emanuel De Castro died at the New Plymouth public hospital on Tuesday. Mr. De. Castro was in his 95fh year and had resided in New Zealand for 73 years. He was an old Maori War veteran and the funeral, which took place yesterday was attended by his old soldier comrades and a large following of settlers from all parts of Taranaki. Born at Funchall, on the Island of Madeira, in 1830, he came out to New Zealand in the barque St. Michael with Captain McKellar and the Mace family, his intended wife coming by the same vessel, which reached New Plymouth in December 2, 1852. Shortly after his arrival here, Mr. De Castro was married and he commenced farming on the Hurford Road, but when the war with the natives broke out he joined the volunteers. He took an active part in the campaign uritil all hostilities finally ceased and received the war medal. When more peaceful conditions returned Mr. De Castro bought land from several of the military settlers near Ahu Ahu in the Oakura district. His residence was situated in the Oakura . town-, ship for several years, and from there he worked his farm. Mr. De Castro later purchased the Ahu Ahu Blockhouse and removed it to his farm, where he took hiS family to reside. His farm was one of the best kept in the district and he was well liked by all who knew him. About ten or twelve years ago Mr. De Castro sold out at Oakura and went to live with his youngest daughter (Mrs. J. Duggan) on the Wares Road, where he continued to reside until about six months ago, when he was admitted to the hospital. Mrs. De Castro predeceased her husband about 23 years ago, and' of a family of eleven six are now living. They are Mesdames J. Duggan (Warea Road) and Barlett (Hawera) and Messrs. Charley and John (Ihaia Road), Joseph (Rahotu) and' William (Tataraimaka).