An Old Colonist.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 128, 25 April 1884, Page 2

An Old Colonist.

la reference to the death of the late Mr 0. R. Bid well, of Pihautea,, the following particulars are tfiveu by the Wairarapa Daily : — " The deceased gentleman was one of the pioueer settlers who grossed the Kiniutaka when there was no pathway over it but a Maori track, and commenced stock-raising" on the; fertile lands of the L.nver Valley. As far back as .the year 1843 a number . of, Wellington settler^, of: whom Mr Bid will was one,, petitioned the directers of the l*ew Zealand Land Company to open up the Wairarapa district by a road through the Hutt, m order to give them a wider grazing scope for their Bocks and herds. The company, however, did not respond to the request made to/them, and Mr Bidwill and his friends came up without a road, acquired Native leases, and laid the foundation of the fortunes which they subsequently accumulated. By his enterprise and perseverance Mi* . Bidwill m tjm« secured a freehold estate on the banks of the Euamah'.iuga river, which has- usually been legarded as the mo*t productive property m the Lower Valley. Mr Bidwell never took any active parts m public matters, but socially he was a valuable member of the commuuity. He was the soul of hospitality, and few were the visitors to the Wairarapa. n-ho have not at one time or other been welcomed at his homestead. He was a generous man also" towards all commendable public institutions. He will be held m kind remembrance by settlers of all classes. Pie leaves behind him a larg* family. For several year 3 past' the deceased has beqn a retired invalid, his elder sons, Messrs John O. Bidwill and W. E. Bidwill, having had the management os his fine property. Ainoijg his daughters are Mrs Balfour, the wife of the manager of the Bank of New Zealaud at Napier, and Mrs Hugh Beethjiiu of Brancepeth. \ i ■■■»■■■