PASSING OF A PIONEER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4324, 30 September 1921, Page 2

PASSING OF A PIONEER.

OF PRE-MINING DAYS.

It is extraordinarily difficult to obtain precise information in ' Respect to the lives of old identities in this district, no one, apparently, having made biographical notes of .the settlers of the early days of Ohinejnuri. This is. a pity, seeing that the numbers of the earliest settlers are rapidly dwindling. By the death, of Mrs Edward Bain, the roll of the pioneers is further reduced. The deceased Lady was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Quinn, of Paeroa, who were resident at Tarariki Creek. Described as one of' the prettiest girls on the Goldsfields, the deceased was married in the Roman Catholic Church at Thames, and came to live with her late husband at Waitekauri Hill, he having predeceased her oy some ten years. The late Mr Bain was oneDf the bes,t known characters in the district, being generous to a fault, and ever ready to put money into new ventures. He followed the occupation of mining from the start of the rush to Waitekauri, and was one of the first to work at the Waihi mine. He was also a very successful contractor for many years, for the Ohinemuri County Council, and constructed the first stretch of the Waitekauri road.

The family numbered ten, eight of whom are still living, five sons and three daughters, being Mr M. Bain, Ellerslie ; E. T. Bain, Epsom ; S. and James Bain, Morrinsville; Mr W. Bain, Paeroa, borough councillor; Misses Bain (2), Mt. Eden, and the youngest daughter, Paeroa. The funeral took place at Paeroa on Wednesday, the Rev. Father Dunphy officiating. The palk-bearers were : Messrs Eugene Shaw, W. Pennell, M. G'oonan, and M. Crosby.