DEATH OF PIONEER

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1932, Page 7

DEATH OF PIONEER

MR. G. C. BENNINGTON, MASTERTON

Masterton, Dec. 17. The death occurred last night of one of Masterton’s oldest residents, George Christopher Bennington, at the age of 84. Bom in England, he landed at Wei lington With his parents in 1854. The Wairarapa Small Farms Association had just been formed, and his father was allotted a section in the prop os ® ll settlement of Masterton. In March,- 1855, he and his wife walked up to Masterton, a pack-bullock carrying their household goods. - 1 I The late Mr. Bennington, then five' years old, made the journey on his father’s back, arriving after a trying journey of seven days. They found only half a dozen settlers at Masterton on a bush section at Upper Blain. The Benningtons constructed a slab hut and made their home. In 1858 the chie? breadwinner was killed while felling bush, but the family struggled pluckily and has been closely identified with the development of the town and district. Mr. Bennington could tell many stories of the privations which he, in common with other settlers, suffered. He preserved vivid recollections, among other things, of a visit to his home from Bishop Selwyn in 1865, and of the Maori trouble in the same year, when Settlers were armed and the blockhouse in Masterton Park was erected. He was present at the first show held in Masterton on the site of the present park, and was also present at the first race mcetins held on the course, roughly round what is now the Masterton Post Office. A fine type of man physically, Mr. Bennington lived an active life, and preserved all his faculties to the last. With the exception of a few years in Australia, the whole of his life was lived in Masterton. He was in the employ of the Masterton Borough Council for 30 years. His wife predeceased him 24 years ago, but he is survived by two sons, Messrs N. J. Bennington, Masterten, and G. Bennington, Otego, and two daughters, Mrs. M. McClay, Masterton, and Miss J. Bennington, Maaterton. : ■