OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4900, 9 November 1925, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. WILFRID ALP. The friends of Mr Wilfrid Alp, Proprietor of the railway refreshment rooms at Paeroa, will regret to Learn of his death, which took place at the public hospital, Thames, yesterday. Deceased was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England, 44 years ago, and had been in New Zealand about 16 years. He was an engineer by profession, and soon after hie arrival in New Zealand he was engaged as gineer at the Grand Junction mine, Waihi. He left that position during the time of the big strike to take up an appointment on the staff of the School of Mines, Auckland. Following a decrease in gold-mining activities deceased resigned and accepted an appointment at Messrs, Seagar Bros’, foundry, Auckland. It was whilst employed there that deceased met with a serious accident, being caught in some machinery, which resulted in a frightful smash, involving 27 fractured bones. This accident occurred eight years ago, but deceased never properly recovered and was forced .to relinquish his. profession and seek lighter work. He then took up the railway tea-rooms at Paeroa, nearly five years ago. During the last two years deceased had had very indifferent health, but bore his sufferings with fortitude. Although not actively connected with local body affairs the late Mr Alp was a member of the Chamber of. Commerce, and took a keen interest in the welfare and progress of the town. A widow and five children, whose ages range from 16 years to 4 years, are left to mourn their loss of a good husband and a loving father. Sincere condolences are extended'to them from a wide circle of friends. MR. HUGH McCORMICK. There passed away on Thursday of last week at Auckland one of the pioneer settlers of Komata Reefs ’in the person of Mr Hugh McCormick. The deceased, who was 69 years of age, was, born in the County of Fermanagh, Ireland, and came put to Australia when a young man, working in various goldfields for a number of-years. He married in New South Wales and came to New Zealand some 22 years ago, settling for a few months in Waihi. Obtaining permanent work in the mine at Komata Reefs, lie settled there and some 19 years ago took up a block of 400’ acres of bush land. He proved to be the right kind of settler, and by hard work and witli the assistance of his family lie reduced some 300 acres of bush into pasture. He was a prominent worker, and gave willing assistance in all matters that would advance the settlement, particularly those concerning the school, social functions, and reading problems. His dairy herd was well known, and when his stock was offered at the sales they invariably topped the market. About 18 months ago he decided to go in for sheep and imported a number .of Corriedale sheep, which are doing excellently on that class of country. Although he- had been ailing for some years past, it was not until last Christmas that .he was compelled to give up work, and has since then been more or less confined to his home. He will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends. He a wife and family of nine children —five boys and four girls—to mourn the loss, of a good husband and father. Of the family two daughters are married— Mrs Ushaw, of Frankton, and Mrs O’Calligan, of Huntly. One son resides at Hamilton, and the others are at home. • » MRS. THOMAS CLARE. There passed away on Monday morning at-'.the residence of hei daughter, Mrs Goldsmith, . Devon Street East, New Plymouth, a highly estepmed old settler in the penson of. Mrs Lavinia Mary Clare, wife of Mr Thomas Clare. . Mrs, Clare was born a l ’. Te Henui, or Fitzroy as it is now known, on September 17, 1843, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Sampson, who came out to New Plymouth on the Timandra, arrived on February 24, 1842. Her husband, Mr Thomas Clare, who survives her, is also a native of New Plymouth, having been; born on August 16, 1843, on. the spot where the Terminus Hotel, now stands, .about two months, after life parents’ arrival from England. When the Bell Block was purchased and opened for settle-, ment by the Provincial, Government both the Sampson and Clare families took up land in the block, acquiring adjoining sections, the former in 1854 and the latter in the following year. .Both the subject, of this notice and her future husband attended the Bell Block school, and they were married at Bell Block on October 6, 1864. When his father died Mr Clare took over tlie farm, and .there they resided until 1891, when they went to Waihi, remaining there until, a few years ago, when they returned to New Plymouth.

During the Maori war Bell, Block was not exactly a “healthy” spot, to use a modern expression, and the Sampson homestead was; burned, by the Maoris, while on another occasion Mrs Clare narrowly escaped being shot by the Maoris. But she was endowed with the courage of her race and quietly carried on her duties of wife and mother during those troublous times, ever cheery and helpful, and thoughtful of others, 'characteristics she retained in full measure tb the end of her long and useful life.

Mr and Mrs Clare have-had a family of five daughters, and seven sons, all of whom, .with the exception of one son, are left ,to mourn, with their father, the heavy loss they .have sustained. The daughters are Mrs Aroa (iDnehunga), Mrs R. Pepperell (Fitzroy), Mrs I. Aroa (New Plymouth), Mrs J. Symes and Mrs C. Goldsmith (New Plymouth), arid the sons are Messrs' Harry, Frank, Lewis, and Percy (all of Waitara), Fre'd (New Plymouth), and Will (Ngatea, Hauraki Plains).