OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MRS WILLIAM MATHEWS. Still another gap has been made in the. thinning -ranks of the pioneers b}' the death of' Mrs William'Mathews at her residence, Wellington street,, Linwood.

The late Mrs Mathews, who had reached her 90th year, was born in the Highlands of Caithness-shire, Scotland. At the age of 25 she left Scotland for New Zealand in the immigrant ship Matoka to join a sister in Christchurch, who had arrived some years previously. In 1863 she waß married to Mr William Mathews, ah Aberdonian, who had then been some years in Christchurch, the wedding taking pjace at. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, the Kev. Charles Fraser officiating. After residing in Christchurch for three years, Mt and Mrs Mathews took up farming at Springston, near Lincoln College. On the farm they lived in a sod whare and it was there that most of tho family of seven children were bom. After nearly 40 years at Springston the family removed to Linwood in 1902. Mr Mathews died in Mathews was the senior of four, gene-rations-of her family. Sho was. of a retiring disposition, devoted to her homo and family, and in the whole of her 60 years} residence "at' Springston and in Christchurch she travelled only twice — once to Auckland, and later to Ashburton. She was a devout churchwoman, being a member of the Presbyterian Church at Lincoln, and later of St. Paul's, Christchurch. In spite of her ripe age Jie retained vivid memories of the early pioneer days, and was able ' to' read without glasses. She possessed -an 'indomitable Highland spirit, characteristic of her race. The funeral, a private one, took place at.Linwood Cemetery, in .the presence of a large number of relatives from many parts'of New Zealand. Tho Rev. Norman Webster conducted the services at the house and the graveside* The surviving sons and daughters are: Mr James A.'Mathews (Sub-Inspector of Police, Christchureh), Miss Jessie Mathews (Christchurch), Mrs L". McCrostie (Christchurch), Mr William Mathews (Edendale, Southland), Mrs Robert"J. Wallace (Christchurch), Mr George Mathc\\'s (N.Z. Farmers, Christchurch), Mrs Alex. West (Christchurch). Thero-are also 21 grandchildren, and one great-grandson. ,

VALEDICTORY. A representative gathering of the residents of Belfield paid a surprise visit to' the schoolhousc, to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Leslie Forbes, who are leaving shortly to take charge of a school in the North Island. A very pleasant time was spent with music and song. During the evening, Mr P. W. Hobbs, chairman of the School Committee, spoke. in eulogistic'terras of their, departing teacher. . and wished him every success in his new appointment. On behalf of the residents, he asked _Mr and Mrs Forbes to accept a suit-case, i a set of .stainless cutlery, and a silver-mounted' condiment set,, as a token of the esteem in which they were held by all.' Mr Forbes, in reply, thanked Mr Hobbs for . the very useful presents, and for the kihdljr wishes whicn accom-' panted ' tliem. . He also thanked the committee for the assistance they had given him during his six and a half years at the Belfield Scfiool. , Aftier a very dainty supper, the evening was brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."-