OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4700, 19 May 1924, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. ASHER C’ASSHELS. Yet another of the band of old colonists has gone to his lest 'll the person of Asher Cassrols,’ whose death took place on Saturday afternoon. ■ The deceased was a familiar figure in Paeroa. where he has iesided for the last fifty-five years. He was born in the town of Vilna. |n the province of Lithuania, Russia-Poland, some 94 years ago, and was there educated in Hebrew and learnt the trade of cabinetniaking. He came to New Zealand in 1861 in the ship Scimitar. After being in business in Auckland, Thames, and Napier he established liimselt in business in Paeroa in 1869. On his arrival in this district the Maoris were hostile t-> | him, and overturned his whares into the stream at the Junction. For some years he was in partnership with the late Mr Bennett, and for many yeats wa, licensee of the Criterion Hotel. In 1896 he retired from business, and since that time has remained in the town to look after iiis vested interests. The late Mr Cassrols was a man. of his word, and whose word was his boi.'l— naturally herd in making a de t), but he could always be relied upon to carry out his obligations. It was due to his enterprise that Paeroa possessed for many , years* one of the best theatres outside the metropolitan areas. He took a very keen interest in the welfare of the district, and was amongst those who petitioned for the formation of a separate county for this district. From 1890 to 1896. and again from 1899 to 1912, he served is a member of the Ohinemuri Coun’y Council. He was an exceedingly careful man, and thought out matters for the future benefit of the district with great concern. He was a mm believer that Paeroa would one day be a large town, and for many years could not be tempted to part with his interests in town sections. He was a Freemason, a)id a foundation member of Lodge Ohinemuri 107 in 1896. and remained a member until his deat.i He leaves a wife and grown-up fami’y of three children to mourn their loss. < His body was removed to Auckland for in,ennent in that city.