OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1021, 9 November 1912, Page 3

OBITUARY.

EDWARD CUMMERFIELDAGED 84.

Another of the pioneers of New Zealand has passed to the “Gre; Beyond,” in the person of !».;•■ Edward Cummerfield, one of Foxton’s oldest settlers, who died at his residence, Avenue Road, on Thursday. The late Mr Cummerfield was born in Croydon, Surrey, England, on April nth, 1828, and came out to New Zealand with bis parents in 1840, arriving at Wellington on December 12th. They arrived by the ship Big London, 700 tons, in the command of Captain Shuttlevvorth. This ship was the first one to arrive in Wellington, the two previous ones landing at Petone. It is interesting to note that the passengers of the Big London on this occasion included the lace Mr Henry Burling, the centenarian, who died at Waikanae some little time back. The late Mr Cummerfield’s father, upon his arrival in New Zealand, took up a 100 acre section at Karori under the New Zealand Laud Company, which he farmed for some time. When 14 years of age the late Mr Cummerfield went to Westhoe, Raugitikei, where he worked for some lime as shepherd for Sir William Fox. He has beeu a resident of the Raugitikei and Mauawatu ever since, a period covering 70 years, of which 57 years have been spent la Foxtou. He was married at Bulls 58 years ago to Miss Perkins, of Cambridge, England, who predeceased him by some 21 years. He served in the militia during the Maori war. The late Mr Cummerfield had enjoyed good health uutil the death of his sister, the late Mrs Robinson, of Herston, a little over two years ago, but since then his health has gradually failed and he had been confined to his bed for the past six weeks. The late Mr Cummerfield leaves a family of three sons and three daughters, John (who has always lived with his father), Joseph (Foxton) aud Edward (Apiti), and Mrs James Taylor (Makiuo), Mrs Stuart Ennis (Hawera) aud Mrs Hector Booth (Feildiug). Another daughter, Mrs Eva, died iu Sydney about 14 years ago. There are also 28 grandchildren and n great grandchildren.

The late Mr Cummerfield has always been held in the very highest esteem by all during his long residence in this district and his familiar figure will be greatly missed by tue older residents of the town, among whom be was always known as “Old Ned."

The funeral will lake place tomorrow afternoon, leaving bis late lenience at 2 p.m. for All Saints’ smirch, thence to the Foxton