DEATH OF MR. OSCAR SYMES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 September 1934, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. OSCAR SYMES

A TARANAKI PIONEER. On& of the earliest settlers of Taranaki, Mr. Oscar Symes, died at his residence, Onehunga, on Wednesday. Mr. Symes, who was in his 85th year, had been living in retirement at Onehunga for the past 18 years. He was born in Somerset, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents, landing at New Plymouth when he was seven years of age. His father, the late Mr. Francis Symes, took up land in Taranaki. There was a family of nine sons and one daughter, ano when the trouble with the Maoris broke out in 1861 the women and children were taken for safety to Nelson, returning to Wanganui in 1864. Mr. Symes was educated at New Plymouth and afterwards farmed in the Waverley district for 40 years. Mr. Symes was a member of various local bodies in the district over a long period of years and was master of the Waitotara and Wanganui Hunt Club. He was also a prominent footballer in his younger days and participated in all forms of outdoor sport. 111-health compelled him to retire in 1916, when he sold his farm and came to Onehunga to live. He is survived by his wife, there being no family. One of his brothers, the late Mr. Walter Symes, was a member of the House of Representatives continuously from 1896 to 1908, for the first six years as member for Egmont, and for the remainder of his term as the representative of Patea. There are three surviving brothers, Mr. L. T. Symes, Auckland. Mr. Albert Symes, Otorohanga, and Mr. Edgar Symes, Waverley.