OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 233, 1 October 1929, Page 6

OBITUARY

. MRS T. McGRAIL. The death occurred 4t “Hillside,” Okoia, recently, of Mrs Thomas McGrail at the age of 74 years. The deceased was born in Wellington in 1855, and came to Wanganui with her parents, the late Mr and Mrs James Atkinson, while she was still an infant. Shortly after the first Maori War, her father, who was attached to the 65th Regiment, obtained his discharge and acquired land at Kututa, where the family resided. The property, now known as Mt. Rowan, was wharc Mrs McGrail spent her girlhood days. At that time the settlers were experiencing considerable trouble with the natives, who at times became so dangerous as to force them to seek the shelter of the stockade in Wanganui. This was about eight miles away, and the journey was made by canoe. In 1870 Mrs McGrail moved, to Auckland, but returned in two years. Since then she ha s been resident at “Hillcroft.” Mrs McGrail, who was twice married, leaves a family of eight to mourn her loss, viz., Miss M. O ’Donnell, Mr s W. Moosman, Miss McGrail (Wanganui), Mrs W. G. Page (Masterton) and Messrs R. P. D. G. McDonnell, E. B. and V. McGrail (Wanganui).