OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MRS EMMA TREWEEK. On Monday morning last, there passed away at the age of ninety-five years, one of the early pioneers of Canterbury in the person of Mrs Emma Treweek. She was born in Lincolnshire in 1533 of a seafaring family. Alter removing to Hull and later to Lancashire the spirit of adventure which possessed so many young men and women of that time induced her to voyage to New Zealand, in 1863, in the ship British Crown. Shortly after arrival she became associated with the family of the late Rev Jas. liabens, pastor of the Congregational Church in Christchurch, and for a number of years was a member of that communion. On Mr liabens’ appointment to the InspectorGeneralship of Schools, she commenced a kindergarten school in Dover Street, St Albans, then known as High Street, Knightstown. She was twice married, her first husband being the late Mr Samuel Bugg and some years after his death she married Mr Joseph Treweek, who predeceased her by over sixteen years. She became a member of the Baptist connexion some time previous to the erection of the present Oxford Terrace Church, and had been a consistent adherent ever since. Her great goodwill, geniality and kindness of heart won for her many life-long friends and although of such an advanced age the retention of alertness of mind ensured everyone a warm welcome. The many incidents she recounted of the difficulties and hardships of those early years in Christchurch were proofs of her excellent constitution and endurance, and, although her life was lived in a quiet and homely sphere, she was one of the truly great. Her influence was always on the side of righteousness and, strong in her Christian faith, she did much to support all that was good and beneficial to individual, church and public life, and her memory will ever remain fresh in the minds of all with whom she came in contact.