DEATH OF A PIONEER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1926, Page 9

DEATH OF A PIONEER.

MRS. MARTHA M. WILLS. OVER EIGHTY YEARS IN TARANAKI. The death of Mrs. Martha M. Wills, relect of the late Thomas John Wills, late of South Road, Hawera, occurred at the New Plymouth hospital yesterday at the age of 87 years. The deceased enjoyed very good health until a few years ago, and passed peacefully away after a short illness.

Her death removes another of the fast diminishing band of Taranaki pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Wills arrived in New Plymouth .as children with their parents by the ship Timandra on February 24, 1842. The Government at that time placed a number of pioneers on the Mongaraka Block, about nine miles from New Plymouth. In about three years’ time the natives decided to eject the settlers, and all had to leave except the Wills family, all of whom became great favourites-with the Maoris. In fact, the whole family -came Maori linguists and remained ou their farm until 1860, when the Maori War broke out.

The family then had to leave their land with others who had by degrees settled in the district. The late Mr. Wills was appointed a native interpreter, and Iranked as captain in a military contingent. IHe later received a grant of land in the Urenui district for his services. He passed away on April 8, 1917. For many years ' the family farmed in and around the Bell Block and Inglewood districts, and for about the latter forty years of their farming activities in and around the Hawera district, finally residing on the South Road, Hawera. After her husband’s death Mrs. Wills removed to New Plymouth. Mrs. Wills was possessed of a most wonderful constitution and retained all her faculties till the last. She leaves to mourn her loss eight sons and daughters, viz., Mr. Tom Wills (Gladstone Street, Hawera), Mr. James D. Wills (Lake Road, Hawera), Mr. Win Wills (Kakaramea), Mrs. T. Willing (Egmont Village), Mrs. J. McLeod (New Plymouth), Mr. 11. Wills (Riverlea), Mr. D. Wills (Taiporobenui), and Mrs. J. B. Scott (Hamilton).