DEATH OF MRS. NEWTON KING

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1930, Page 3

DEATH OF MRS. NEWTON KING

OLD NEAV PLYMOUTH RESIDENT. ASSOCIATION AATTI-I EARLY DAYS. A lifelong resident of New Plymouth and a member of one of the pioneer families of Taranaki, Narie St. George King, widow of Air. Newton King, died in her sleep at her residence, “Brooklands,” in the early hours of yesterday,.! morning. ' Except for slight heart attacks in her later years Airs. King had enjoyed vigorous good health all hqr life. !. ' Airs. King was the youngest daughter of Dr. George St. George, and a grand-daughter of the late Mr. AC ■Shaw, both of .whom were pioneer settlers who arrived in the "Amelia Thompson” in September, 1841. She was boin at a house which used to stand on t te corner of Liardet and Courteniiy Streets . above the site at present occupied by the’Workers’ Social Hall. At the time her father owned the block from Courtenay Street to Leech Street. When Airs. King was quite young her mother /died and Airs. King was cared for by her aunt, the; late Aliss Lydia Shaw, who also' came to New Plymouth in the vessel' ‘'Amelia Thompson.” In 1868 Aliss Shaw took over a small school formerly in charge of her nidee, Aliss Al. A. Shaw. It was conducted in the meeting house of the / Kawau Pa on a hill, since levelled, at the bottom of Currie Street. The place had not been used by’ the Alaoris since the beginning of the war in 1860. In "*■ later years the school was moved to the sandhills behind the present Foresters’ Hall in Gill Street. Mrs. King was associated with her aunt in this private school. Later, when the Education Act 'was passed, the Colonial Government took over, the school. Mrs. King also occupied a.position as a teacher at the public school in Courtenay. Street where she speedily won the affection of her pupils. A ••• In 1-884 she married Air. Newton King, whose triumphs and troubles she sliared whole-heartedly from the pioneering, days to the end of his successful career. Shortly after the marriage, which took, place in St. Alary’s Church, New Plymouth, Air. Kipg purchased “Brdoklands,” the estate on which he built a beautiful home. Brooklands was originally a section oif *2OO acres taken by Captain Henry King, R.N. (no relation of Air. Newton King) and Air. George Cutfield in partnership in the early ’forties. Subsequently Air. King .sold 100 acres to Air. Richard Cock, and though various areas of laud were added to it or disposed of in later years, 100 acres was kept as the homestead block. To-day “Brooklands” is probably one of the most beautiful and extensive homesteads in Taranaki.

Although she was at. all times willing to help deserving causes. Sirs. King took no very active part in affairs. She was much interested in Plunket work and did much to further the' movement in. the early days. She was fond of music and a good piauiste, while tier favourite recreation was a game, of bridge. Mrs. King is survived by two daughters and three sons, all of whom are married. The daughters are Mrs. Sydney Allen (New Plymouth) and Mrs. Noel Fookes (Waitara). The sous are Messrs Truby King (Stratford). Maldyve King (New Plymouth) and Eliot King (New Plymouth). A sister and three brothers are still alive. They arc: Mrs. T. G. Hammond (Tauran'ga Messrs Douglas St. George (Dunedin), Louis St. George (Wellington) ar' George St. George (Auckland). There ait 16 grandchildren..... *.