DEATH OF WILLIAM HENRY SANDLE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1927, Page 1

DEATH OF WILLIAM HENRY SANDLE

The death took .place this morning at 1.-15 o’clock at Westland Hospital of Mr Henry- William Handle, the wellknown resident of Stafford lor nearly sixty years, after an illness extending over a considerable period. Mr Handle was born in ihc year 18-12 in the parish of Assington, Suffolk, England, and was therefore S 5 years ol age. He was the third son of James Handle and was educated at Rev Hr Goymer’s Grammar Hrhool, near Stnke-by-Xay-land. On the premature death of his father, due to an accident in the hunting field, it was l'onnd necessary for the family to leave the home, where their forbears had lived for hundreds of years. Henry sailed lor Now Zealand and landed at Lyttelton from the ship ‘•Regina 1 ’ in the year 1851), lie being then .17 years of age. With a few fellow passengers lie started sawmilling at Pigeon Jlay, and afterwards at other places on Bank’s Peninsula, lmt at the time of the Wijst Coast gold rash was farming. Attracted by the wonderful talc 1 ol the discovery of gold at Hokitika he decided to try his lack, and with several others made his way up the Hurunui River, and. idler crossing the ranges, proceeded down the Teremakau to its month, and from there along the beach to Hokitika where lie arrived in I£TOS. Thus be became one of the thousands of diggers who sought to make their fortunes by working the beaches, creek beds and the alluvial terraces fuiThcr inland. He shared the luck of the game at Woodstock. ICanieri. Arahurn, Kelly’s Terrace, Fourth Terrace, Liverpool Bill’s Gully -and other places, now known byname only to the very few of the old pioneers, who still live and spend the evening of their days dreaming of the golden past. When the claims were “worked out’’ and gold became scarce he followed business pursuits for a number of years, hut has been living in retirement for a considerable time, cuing to ill-health and advancing years. The deceased was long associated with the mihlic life of the district, representing the Arahura Riding first on the Road Board and then in the Westland County Council from 1877 to 1832. As Chairman of the Stafford School Committee he is well remembered by a generation <*>f children. for about 20 years lias been a justin' of the peace. For fifty years lie has been a Church Warden and Lay-Read-er in the Church of England, and in the absence of the Vicar, took services at Stafford, and for some years at Kuniara. fn the strenuous old mining days many were injured, and, ns Alt' Handle was skilled in first aid, he was, on numerous occasions able to render service to many who had broken limbs or injured themselves whilst working in places beyond the reach of medical assistance. Two generations will remember Mr Handle on account of his kindly nature and never failing courtesy.

In 1883 Mr Handle was married to Amy Eggleton. and is survived by his wife and three sons, (Sidney, of Palmerston North, Major in the R.N.Z.A-; Henry, of Bainesse, near Foxton; Jaines. -of Christchurch); and two daughters (Mrs Manners, of Hawera and Mrs Bergamini, of Hokitika).

The passing of Mr Handle will be mourned by many, especially those of the older generation who will have nothing hut pleasant recollections of a man of sterling upright character, who was an example to all wlio knew him.. The deepest sympathy will be extended to his widow and family in their bereavemeftti