A PIONEER PASSES.

Wairarapa Age, 17 December 1932, Page 5

A PIONEER PASSES.

MR. CHRISTOPHER BENNINGTON. LINK WITH EARLY DAYS. At the age of 84 years Mr. jGeorge Christopher Bennington of Wrigley Street, Masterton, passed away last evening. His death severs one of the last links that bound Masterton Sunday Schools to the early days. On the second Sunday of 1856, one week after Mr. Henry Jones started the first Sunday School in Masterton, Mr. Bennington, then a boy of 7, attended the school. At the recent Sunday School anniversary in the Methodist Church he was present, 77 years being the span he had covered between his first and last appearance. Reference will be made to this at the Methodist Church to-morrow morning.

The late Mr. Bennington was born in England in 1849 and arrived in New Zealand with his parents in 1854. Coming to Masterton in March, 1855, he had resided here ever since, with the exception of a few years spent in Australia. Mr. Bennington was well known to many Masterton people, having formerly been in the employ of the Masterton Borough Council and retiring several years ago after 30 years’ service.

When Mr. Bennington’s father took up his residence in Masterton in 1855 he was allotted a bush section at the top end of Cornwall Street. The journey from Wellington was made on foot, the youngest child being carried on the father’s back and a pack bullock conveying their household goods. The whole journey occupied seven days and when the Bennington s reached Masterton there were only about half a dozen settlers here. Upon arriving on their section they pitched their tent and set about falling the bush, to clear an area for cultivation and erect a rough shelter. The Bennington family encountered all the privations of the early days and these were accentuated in 1858 when the head of the family was accidentally killed by a falling tree. The late Mr. Christopher Bennington had a splendid recollection of a visit paid to the Wairarapa in 1865 by the late Bishop Selwyn and also of troubles with the Maoris. Mr. Bennington was present at the first show held in Masterton, on the site of the present Park and he also remembered the first race meeting, the course in those days being located along what is now Church Street, to Jean Street and Worksop Road. i The late Mr. Bennington was held in high esteem for his excellent personal qualities and the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to the bereaved relatives in their great loss. His wife predeceased him 24 years ago. Two sons, Messrs N. J. Bennington (Masterton) and G. Bennington fOtago) and two daughters, Mrs M. McLay and Miss J. Bennington (Masterton) survive. The funeral will take place to-morrow leaving the residence 26 'Wrigley Street, at 1.15 p.m. for the Masterton Cemetery.