OBITUARY.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17661, 12 August 1929, Page 4

OBITUARY.

AN OL)p. PIONEER

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HAMILTON, Aug. 12.

Having arrived in New Zealand 80 years ago, Mrs Agnes P. Harsan-t, nee MacDonald, who died at Okete, near Raglan, on Fridaty, was one of the Dominion’s pioneers. The deceased was the eldest daughter of the late John MacDonald, and was born at Dundee, Scotland, in 1939. Her father brought hig family to New Zealand in the barque Cornwall, of 580 tons, which arrive* at New Plymouth in August, 1849. Mr MacDonald intended to settle in Otago, hut was'so charmed with New Plymouth that he decided to settle there, and took up land at Tataralmaka, 12 miles from New Plymouth. On the outbreak of the Maori War all settlers were ordered into the town to live. The Maoris burned their house and drove away their stock, so Mr MacDonald decided to bring his family to Raglan, where he settled in 1864. A few years later Miss Agnes MacDonald married Martin Hansant, the eldest son of the late Dr Harsant, then practising at Raglan. Mr Harsant died a few years ago. Mrs Harsant is survived by a son, R. M. Harsant. of Okete, a daughter, Mrs V. E. Pegler. of Raglan, and six grand-children. Her youngest , brother, Mr C. E. MacDonald, of Kauroa, is the only surviving member of the family.