OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5461, 14 August 1929, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MRS. R. C. ALLBN. General regret was felt when it became known on Monday that the death had occurred at the Isle of Wight, England, on Sunday of Mrs R. C. Allen, wife of Colonel R. C. Allen, D. of Morrinsville. Mr and Mrs Allen left in June, 1928, for England, for the purpose of educating their four children. The cause of death is not yet known. Mrs Allen suffered an illness three years ago, and took a trip Home for the purpose of recuperating. She was in good health when leaving for the last visit

Mrs Allen was born in Remuera, Auckland, and was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Herbert Thompson. She received her early education in Auckland, finishing in England. Shr was married to Mr Allen in 1911, and went to live at Piako, Morrinsville. Mr Allen built the veil-known heme Dimminsdale, purchased a year ago by Mr Tangye. Mrs Allen was well known throughout the district. She had a charming personality, which made her a popular hostess. While in Morrinsville she participated in local affairs. She took a very keen interest in the Anglican Church, was president of the Girl Guides’ committee, and was one of the founders of the Plunket Society in Morrinsville. During the early part of the war she was an indefatigable patriotic worker. When her husband was wounded shp went to England and undertook V.A.D. work in the Walton-on-Thames hospital. The late Mrs Allen had many charming accomplishments and was a skilful painter. Colonel Allen was at one time second in command of the Hauraki Regiment, and Mrs Allen was in the habit of accompanying him on his visits to Paeroa, being well known here, especially as a golf enthusiast. Mrs Allen is survived by her husband and four children, two boys and two girls. MR. EDMUND REIDY. One of the earliest and most widely known settlers of Hauraki Plains passed away on Sunday last in the person of Mr Edmund Reidy, of Kaihere. He had been ill for some time, and three months ago underwent a serious operation in the Auckland Hospital, but gradually sank lower, so that when listeners heard IY.A. radio station, Auckland, broadcast an S.O.S. to his wife on Sunday evening they realised that the end had come. Born in Invercargill 56 years ago, the late Mr Reidy had a varied career. In his youth he and his brothers, most of whom are still in Otago, were noted athletes and established records in many branches of sport which stood unbroken for many years. With his brother Tom he was a step-dancer for some time in Charlie Hugo’s minstrel party, and later a teacher of dancing. His skill as a dancer and a judge of step-dancing was recognised throughout the Dominion, and his services were always in demand. He judged the step-dancing at the recent exhibition in Dunedin. In his time he had been a shoemaker, barber, aerated water manufacturer, and a commercial traveller. In the Manawatu he worked in flaxmills, and about 1904 he followed Mr C. O’Dwyer, now of Patetonga, to Kerepeehi to obtain further employment under him in the flaxmill. In a very short time he rose to be manager of a mill at Patetonga, and later at Kerepeehi. While there he married the daughter of a Kerepeehi Maori, and shortly afterwards went to Kaihere to work her land, being one of the very first settlers on the land on Hauraki Plains. When the Government opened the Kaihere district for selection he drew a section adjoining the land he farmed.

The deceased leaves a wife, two sons, and three daughters, and a very large circle of friends to mourn his loss.

Mr Reidy’s body was brought to Kaihere and was interred on Tuesday on a knoll on his farm overlooking the ford on the Kaihere-Patetonga road, alongside the graves of three of his children. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Shaw, of Morrinsville, and the funeral was attended by a large number of Hauraki Plains residents.