THE LATE MR SANSON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 449, 23 January 1909, Page 2

THE LATE MR SANSON.

The late Mr Sanson, whose demise we chronicled iu our last issue, was one of the pioneers of the Manawatu,having settled iu the Saudon Farm Block in the early seventies. He was a member of the first Manawatu County Council in 1876. The Manawatu County in those days included Horowheuua, Rangitikei, and Kairanga. Since that date the departed pioneer has served his fellows ou every local body, great or small, iu his district, lie was for many years a member of the Wanganui Education Board, having held the record for length of service on that important body. Mr Sanson was the first farmer to introduce the separator into the Manawatu district, and his little engine-driven machine thus began a new era in what is now a lamous dairying district. He was. also a candidate for Parliament, but his opponents were too strong, among them being Sir Walter Buffer, Dr Rockstrow, and Mr J. G. Wilson, the latter gentleman being the successful candidate. The latter portion of his residence in Manawatu was spent in Rougotea. About eight years ago he left the district foa Wellington, where he lived up till the time of his unexpected death. The late Mr Sanson was a prominent Methodist, both in the Manawatu and in Wellington, where his decease will leave a gap in religious and temperance circles that will be hard to fill. Mr Sanson leaves one daughter, Mrs Burcham, of Halcombe, and three sons —Mr Henry Sanson, of Stratford, sheep farmer ; Mr John Sanson, of Glen Oroua, dairy farmer ; and Mr Herbert Sanson, of Muratai, Wellington, schoolmaster.