OBITUARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17787, 12 August 1929, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MRS AGNES PANTON HARSANT. ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES. One of New Zealand's oldest settlers passed away-at Okete, near Raglan, on Friday, in the person of Mrs Agnes Panton Ilarsant. Mrs Ilarsant was the eldest daughter of the late Mr John McDonald, and was born at Dundee, Scotland, in 1839. Her father brought his family to New Zealand by the barque Cornwall, a vessel of 580 tons register, which arriv-j, ed at New Plymouth, on August 18, 1849. Mr McDonald intended to settle in Otago, which was the final destination of the Cornwall. He was so charmed, however, with the young settlement of New Plymouth that he decided to settle there. He went on to Wellington by the Cornwall, and left the vessel there. After about three months’ residence in Wellington he chartered a schooner and went back with his family to New Plymouth. They took up land at Tataraimaka, about 12 miles from New Plymouth. On the outbreak of the Maori war they, with all settlers in the outdistricts, were ordered to go into the town to live. This they did, and in their absence the Maoris burned down their house and drove away all their stock. r After four years of war Mr McDonald decided to bring his family to Raglan, where they settled in 1864. A few years later Miss Agnes McDonald married Mr Martin Ilarsant, the eldest son of the late Dr. Harsant, then practising at Raglan. Mr and Mrs Harsant lived in the Raglan district until the death of the former a few years ago. Mrs Harsant is survived by a son, Mr R. M. Harsant, of Okete, and a daughter, Mrs V. E. Pegler, of Raglan, and six grandchildren. Her youngest brother, Mr C. E. McDonald, of Ivauroa, is the only surviving member of the family. He was born in Taranaki. The burial look place on Sunday at the Okete Cemetery. The service being conducted by the Rev. A. James Smeeth, of Raglan.

MRS. E. MASSEY. AUCKLAND, Monday. The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Massey wife of Mr. J. B. Massey, of Ponsonby, occurred on Saturday. The late Mrs Massey was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. W. R. Waddel w'ho was Mayor of Auckland for three terms in the eighties and for several years chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. MR. H. C. ASHBY. WAIHI, Saturday. The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Harry G. Ashby, aged 56, a wellknown figure in business circles in Waihi. MRS. R. ERWIN. CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. The death has occurred of Mrs. Erwin, wife of Dr. R. Erwin, a former Presbyterian minister, at the age of 76 years. MR. EDWIN HARROP. AUCKLAND, Monday. A resident of Kawakawa for 50 years, Mr. Edwin Harrop, aged 87, who lived in Auckland during the last three years, died yesterday.