OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4962, 16 April 1926, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. JOHN PENNELL.

PAEROA’S OLDEST IDENTITY.

On December 28, 1918, during the time of the influenza epidemic, we were called upon to record the death of Ma ( ry (Nurse) Pennell, w?ho, in, her devotion, lost her life, which occurred in Auckland while carrying out her beloved and noble - duties. Now, following on the demise of his wiFe, comes, the death of her husband—John Pennell—which, occurred at his residence on Wednesday last. He had not been ailing very, long, and retained his memory and eyesight up to the moment of his. passing away. . The deceased was 91 yea.rs of age, and. was born in’ Cheshire (England). He had. been 86 years in New Zealand, having arrived at the age of five years, in a sailing craft called’, the “Union.” As the years roiled onward he was called upon to ta.ke up arms during the Maori war,' and later the outbreak of the Thames goldfields claimed his attention. That, was in August, 1867. There he worked shares with Nett. Dickie and several other comrades, long since dead. Following his, mining exploits lie came to Paeroa in 1878—48 years, ago—and -with his wife (Mary) settled on land at Waitawheta, on the site now known as Franklin's farm, where they had tc\ be conveyed on pack-horses. From there he removed with five da-ughters and' two sons to Tarariki’s his final removal in life being to homes,tead in Thames Road, where the old pioneer reached his fast, milepost after - a residence of 37 years. The late Mr Pennell never:'wearied telling of his early expesriehces in Pa.ai'oa, when he'- drove.' teams of horses over the district, and at all times—rain, hail, or sunshine. He was a keen horseman, and his .were well known**to be the best-ke* on the roads. When he landed by.the paddlesteamer Enterprise at Paeroa it was near where the. Te Aroha bridge how stands. In those days it was called Cassrelsi Street, and by that it is known to-day—after tho| name tsf a. late esteemed pioneer fl the person of Mr Ashez Cassrels. iSI often pictured Paeroa, with’its beautiful winding river of clear and deep wafer from the landing to the sea on the banks of which for the whole distance could in season he found grapes, and peaches in ebundance. There were very tew houses in Paeroa in the days of which Mr oftipies recfilled, and to reach it from Thames was. no easy task. There was only a track along the side. of. the h ills, ■passing at the back of Mr Walter Wight’s, on Thames, Road. This track branch-* ed off near Komata, and passed over Hubbard’s property, across; the swamp to the Puke, where there was a small hotel. Similar difficulty was experienced in reaching Te until the advent of a coach service. Waihi wais: also .hail’d to reach. The track —for that was all it was—starts ed from Phillips’ store, where the Public Works office now stands, andcontinued along the site of the-pre-sent butter factory. Turnei's Hill was never negotiated, the trail con- . tinning through Marsh’s farm, where the river wa,s„ forded.. Then the trail was agaip picked up through the hills. . - The late Mr Pennell,had been a very hearty and strong man, and had worked hard almost . from childhood. As, a boy he had some experience a.s a jockey, and rode at the races held .in Potter’s Paddock many years before Ellerslie wa,s known as a racecourse. One distinction of that time was when, he won on a horse called-Decep-tion, owned by a Mr Hargreaves. He was reserved, but withal ■ hall, many staunch friends in all parts.. He leaves a grown-up family of 7 sons, 5 daughters,. 36 grandchildrerh and 36 great-grandchildren. Eleven of his descendants did. service in the Great War. ‘ *