The Late Mr C. Cundy, Sen.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1799, 24 February 1886, Page 2

The Late Mr C. Cundy, Sen.

Another of the founders of the Wellington settlement passed away on Monday, in the person of Mr Cuady, senior, of South Featberstou. The funeral took place yesteiday, and it was attended by nearly 160 persons, nearly all of whom have known the gonial face of the old gentleman for many years. Mr Cundy (who at the time of bis death was 71 years of age) and bis wife, who survives him, came to the colony in the ship Duke of Roxburgh, which after a long passage of si? months, arrived at Wellington iu Feb., 1810, Passengers by the same vessel were families whose names are familiar to nearly every resident in the Wairarapa—such families as the Udys, Thomases, Hawkes, Smiths (Kaiwaiwai), Dr Monteath, Hunters (Wellington), and others. Most of the progenitors of these families have now gone to the bourne, from which it is said no traveller returns, but there are still some left, who can testify to the facta which we now record. The Duka of Roxburgh left England on October Ist, 1838, just sixteen days before the Devonport Dockyard was burned. The captain of the strip, whose name was Thompson, never reached these shores. The passengers were landed at Potone, where they proceeded to construct for themselves some rude dwellings of flax and sernb. Mr Cundy, with his family, afterwards settled at the Hutt, where he resided for some time, until he shifted to the Wairarapa, where he was at the lime of hi? death one of the oldest settlers. Mr Gundy, for some years, traveiled to and from Wellington with a dray, conveying provisions for his own and other settlers' use ; aud as the old gentleman had an excellent memory and was full of anecdotes, it was always amusing to hear him iivouut his many adventures on the road before railways, telegraphs, or even coaches were thought of. Mr Cundy was, for some years, a most vigorous and enthusiastic supporter of the Wesleyan Church, and his presence and assistance at their meetings, was always much valued by that body, and he will bo much missed and regretted by the members of that denomination throughout the valley. He was a native of Cornwall and had resided in the Wairarapa for about seventeen years. Yesterday the residents of Featherston signified their respect tor the memory of the deceased by strictly closing all the places cf business, aud the town during the afternoon presented a quiet appearance. The Rev Mr Thompson, Presbyterian Minister, of Waihenga, conducted the funeral service in the absence of the Rev Mr Ward, who was in Wellington, and Mr A. Donald waa the undertaker. The deceased leaves a large family cf eons and daughters, most of whom are married and have ftiniliee.