DEATH OF AN EARLY COLONIST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16327, 17 January 1921, Page 9

DEATH OF AN EARLY COLONIST.

One of New Zealand's earliest colonists. Airs L. C. AY hi tie y, recently died at her sons residence, Ilangiora. Born in South Australia in 1837. she is believed to have been the first white girl horn in Adelaide. With her parents, (the late Air and Airs B. Gahagen) she came to New Zealand in a whaling vessel and landed, after a voyage of six weeks, at the Bay of Islands in 1818. The Ala oris gradually became very hostile, so that soon after the arrival of soldiers from England she. along with other aolonists, was sent, to Sydney for safety. She returned to New Zealand in 1801, in a email trading vessel, this time landing at Lyttelton. No other accommodation being available, her father erected a primitive hut, and it was in this humble dwelling that one of her brothers was born. In 1800 she married Air G. Whitley* in the first Wesleyan chapel built in Lyttelton, the cereinonv being performed by the late Rev Aid red. Air and Airs Whitley continued to reside for some years in Lyttelton and later made their homo in Christchurch, where they continued to reside until a few months ago. The late Airs WhiMey was a lady of very active, temperament, and until the time of her death took a keen and active interest in religious and social questions. The funeral took place, at the Wesleyan cemetery. Rangiora, the burial service being conducted by Commandant Lord. of the Linwood Corps of the Salvation Army. Airs Whitley is survived by her husband Mr CL Whitley (one of' New Zealand’s earliest, colonists. landing in Wellington in 1810) and five sons and three daughters. 11a mol v Mr W. Whitley (Wellington), Air E. Whitley (Rangiora), Air C. Whitley (Christchurch), Mr A. Whitley and Air H. F. Whitley (Rotorua), and Airs E H. Hnlston (Christchurch), Airs G-. Heaven (Eltham), and Airs 11, 8. Rose (Hastings).