SOUTH TARANAKI NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1930, Page 9

SOUTH TARANAKI NEWS

MRS. ROBERT DAWBIN’S DEATH. EARLY SETTLER OF TARANAKI. A pioneer of South Taranaki, Mrs. Robert Dawbin, died at her Marton home on Tuesday at the age of 66. Mrs. Dawbiii lived 15 years at Riverlea and 20 years at Mangatoki. She was one of- the early settlers of the province. Over forty years ago, with her husband and three young children, Mrs. Dawbin went to Riverlea from Normanby, the journey by bullock dray occupying three days. Travelling conditions then were so bad that on the last stage only two miles were traversed from dawn to dark. At Riverlea a bush section was taken up, and there the pioneers established a home for themselves, the timber for the house being cut from the surrounding bush. In Mose days when doctors were few and far between Mrs. Dawbin freely and ably ,'ministered to neighbouring settlers in time of sickness, and was always ready to assist in relieving distress. Mr. and Mrs. Dawbin retired from active life in 1920 and went to live at Marton, with the exception of some months spent on a trip to England. For the last five years Mrs. Dawbin ■ had been in failing health, but she remained very cheerful. Mrs. Dawbin is survived by her husband and a family of nine daughters and four sons. The daughters are: Mesdames E. McKay, J. Phillips junr., C. Carlson, J. Sulzberger, J. Gavigan (all of Eltham), Mrs. J. E. Tebbutt (Egmont Village), Mrs. G. McConnell (Waiuku), Mrs. L. Patterson (Pahiatua), Miss Alice Dawbin (Marton). The sons are Messrs. R. and J. Dawbin (Waiuku), and Messrs. C. and H. Dawbin (Marton). Numbered among the descendants are 30 grandchildren. Mrs. Dawbin is also survived by her three sisters, Mesdames Teixeira, Murray and Smedley, all of whom reside at Auckland.