OLD RESIDENT PASSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 269, 10 February 1941, Page 4

OLD RESIDENT PASSES

MR O. I. PETTERSEN

An old resident of Whakatane passed away on Friday in the person of Mr Olaf I. Peltersen at of 64 years. He had been an inmate of the local hospital for over twelve months and had not enjoyed good health for the past two years.

The late Mr Peltersen was employed as a watersider in this town and was popular with his fellow workers and well known in the district. Of Swedish birth Mr Pettersen came to Whakalane as a member of the crew of the scow "Welcome" in 1910 when the vessel was engaged to effect improvements to the harbour. The Welcome, the skipper of which was Captain Jonathan, was wrecked on the bar and at very low tide the remains of the scow's keel can still be observed.

Following the loss of the scow Mr Pettersen gave up going to sea, and in 1912 joined th^watersiders —continuing in until his health failed.

He married soon after taking up residence in this town, his bride being Miss. Kate Cowan, at one time the well known guide at Rotorua, who died some 15 years ago. Mrs Pettersen until her death was the recipient of a pension from a resident of England, who while touring New Zealand would have drowned in Lake Taupo had she not rescued, him. In recognition of her bravery the tourist provided her with a weekly sum for life of 305..

The late Mr Peltersen was buried at the Whakatane cemetery on Saturday . the Rev. S. G. Caul ton conducting the service and local water-, siders acting as pall bearers. There was a large following of friends to> pay their respects to a friend who had endeared himself to all by his generous and happy nature.