ILLNESS PROVES FATAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20001, 28 July 1939, Page 4

ILLNESS PROVES FATAL

MRS. FRANK HARRIS POPULAR HOTEL HOSTESS Deep regret will be occasioned by the death of Mrs. Mary Theresa Harris, widow of the late Mr. Frank Harris, which occurred in Tokomaru Bay this morning. Mrs. Harris was known to a wide circle of friends throughout tile Gisborne and East Coast districts, by whom she was held in the highest esteem. She had been the popular hostess of several hotels, including To Puia, and gained a well deserved reputation for her excellent management and hospilability. Born in Lawrence, Central Otago, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, early pioneers of the mining district, the deceased had been a resident of the East Coast for the past 25 years. She married the late Mr. Frank Harris, a well-known figure in Gisborne for many years and together they conducted the Albion Club Hotel and subsequently the British Empire Hotel. Upon the death of he r husband, Mrs. Harris moved to her home in Kaiti, where she resided for several years. She then joined Mrs. Brodie in the management of the Tokomaru Bay Hotel. From there Mrs. Harris moved to Te Puia and her association with this hostelry was largely responsible for its wide popularity. Resigning from business two months ago, Mrs. Harris took up her residence again in Kaiti, but, failing health overtaking her, she returned to Tokomaru Bay, where she experienced further illness. Mrs. Harris is survived by one brother, Mr. John Bolton, Lawrence, who was summoned from the south recently.