THE LATE MRS THOMAS SOLE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9287, 13 January 1892, Page 2

THE LATE MRS THOMAS SOLE.

The deceased lady whose death it waß our painful duty to record a fortnight since, was one of the earliest settlers, arriving by the Timandra in 1842, about nine months after the settlement had been formed. She came here with her brother, Mr Devenish, > and her sister and brother inlaw, Mr anaMrs Flight, all of whom have departed to that " bourne whence no traveller returns." The family lived together for years, and experienced many hardships and some hairbreadth escapeß. They resided at Devonport for nearly a year, living under a tent, which was very pleasant in line weathor, but was far from being agreeable when a high wind was blowing, or when the rats were swarming about the placo. Their next move was to Puketapu, whora this family remained in a tent until a weather- . - board house was built at To Ika Moana (Mangaoraka), which was a great Btep in advance. The Maoris about that timo began to collect in the district, having boon released from slavery by the Waikato tribe, und were often inclined to bo disagreeable. For instance, they would put a fenco across a road (really only a track) ' and call it " tapu," and along that road no ' one daro pass but themselves. The Maoris ■ were aUo very exorbitant in their demands,* and on one occasion as much as £1 had to ° be given to tho natives before they would bring lOOlbs of flour from New Plymouth. The family woro in great peril once, though they were not aware of it at the timo. One of tho principal merchants of the place/ Mr 11. Brown, in a moment of passion struck a Maori with tho butt end of his riding whip, rendering him insensible. The Maoriswere much exasperated at this, and if- the native had died the settlers in New Plymouth would have been wiped out' of i existence. Mr Flight, boing a Justice of the Peace, was sent for, and went to.Now Plymouth to confer with his brother magistrates, Mr Devenish accompanying himf Mr T. Sole was also in town on .that day with tho bullock-cart, and on his "way back to To Ika Moana was followed for a long way by a native, who was waiting A , signal at which, if it had been given, Mr T. Sole would have been killed., .The . \ ladies were thus left alone with three young . children. There was a conferences of natives near MrConnett's farm, and it was , decked that tome should go on to'.iNew . Plymouth to sack tho town and mnnfer the settlers if the Maori died, and others-wore . cent to surround tho settlers' houses, for • there were tiro or three families then living eonio distance from the town. A,'. chief named To Ran was Bent to Mr Flight!a, ostensibly to take care of the wonien'ana * , children, but in reality to murder the fopuly if he saw Now Plymouth in flame's.'.' This Mr 'Flight was told afterwards From there the family removed to.. Mangbrei,whoro they were again tho frontier settlers, having to go through nearly three miles of dense bush ; and so bal was the road no dray cotild be got along it, and they had to carry provisions on thoir backs, as did also' their two only neighbours, Mr T. King and Mr Bhi6chko. After a few years of bush. life Miss Devenish was married to Mr-Thos. Sole, and they settled at the Te Henai, where she lived a quiet life She was •. greatly respected by a large circle^ of friends <; and her, kindliness of, heart, -/ which manifested itself in various forms of unostentatious benevolence will causo her to be missed by many. ;