A PACIFIC PEONEER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1921, Page 3

A PACIFIC PEONEER

LONDON, Oclohov -•!. Nows lias just. Loen rocoivod in Portsmouth. which may not. yet have, boon .soot to Now Zealand, of the death on. a lonely island in the South Pacific of Mr Hubert Henry Hoad, whoso career reads like a romance. lie was horn in Portsmouth eighty - eight years ago; at the ago of thirtythroe was shijiwreeked in the South Pacific and guided by a lantern held by . a missionary swam to Nino Island. Mere lie remained till the day of his . death, and became a big trader in coma. For fifty-five years, he assisted missionaries and undertook without payment the medical work of the island, even to the amputation of limbs. He married on the island, and had fifteen children, whom he sent to New Zealand to lie educated. He loved the Niueans with a passion that worked wonders and his goodness caused the name of Britain to be revered by natives amongst whom lie was known as , ‘ The Croat White, Man.” He was in- . strumental in ridding the island of pirates. I, The day of his funeral was cloudless „ fml as the coffin was home from the house there was a loud clap of thunder, accompanied by lightning, which struck t several natives, who interpreted this as n a salute from lieavon that “The Croat ,i White Man” had entered his rest.