PERSONAL ITEMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11658, 18 January 1901, Page 3

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The late Mr Nathaniel Hooker, who died after a short illness on Thursday evening, arrived in New Plymouth in February, 1842, in the Timandra, and, but for a few years spent in Auckland, has resided here ever since. He was a Cornisbman by birth. About 1847 he travelled overland to Auckland with two other young men, being seven days on the journey. In 1861 he was back in Taranaki, and in that year married Miss Elizabeth Lye, who with her parents came out in the fiist ship in 1841. He was a .stonemason by trade and has carried on that business during tbe whole time. He was tbo oldest Oddfellow in New Plymouth, having opened the first lodge here, and has occupied every official position in the order. A few months ago ho celebrated his jubilee as an Oddfellow, when he was presented with an emblem of the Order and a jewel by tbe members of the Order in which he has always taken a leading part. He was in fairly good health up to a fortnight ago, when a kidney complaint troubled him. He was taken to the hospital on Monday, and was progressing favourably until Thursday evening, when a relapse occurred, and he passed away rather suddenly. He leaves a large family, seven sods and four daughters, besides fifty grandchildren, and one great grandchild. There are also two brothers, Mr Henry Hooker, and Mr Charles Hooker, of this town, aud a sister, Mrs Eloise, of Auckl&LCL