DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 4, 15 January 1915, Page 3

DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER.

Another link with the early days of Pukekohe was eevered on Toesday, when one of the oldest settlers of the district, in the person of Mr Brittian Beatty, passed away at his residence in Pukekohe. The deceased, who was 75 years of age, had been failing for the past couple of months, and the last occasion on which he was able to get about was on Election Day, when he duly recorded his vote for the Raglan Electorate.

The late Mr Beatty was bom in County Longford, Ireland, and arrived in New Zealand 50 years ago. He iiist settled in the Silverdale district in the North of Auckland, and engaged in farming pursuit. Six years later he came to Pukekohe and had resided on the same farm ever Bince, although in the course of years the original whare, which he occupied, had given place to a homestead, which in its turn was vacated by Mr Beatty only a few months ago for a new dwelling-house situated on the same property. Similarly, too, Mr Beatty's original holding of 50 acreß was gradually added to and at the time of his death comprised 200 acres, which from dense bush land had been transformed by the deceased's personal efforts into a highly cultivated property. The deceased did not take a prominent part in public affairs, although he was for some time a member of the Pukekohe West Road Board. Universally popular and respected, he was prominently Identified with the dairying industry, and had lived to see dairying rise from its infancy to be one of the greatest assetß of the Dominion. Married 43 years ago, he is survived by a widow, one daughter and three sons, namely, Messrs George, John and William Beatty, the last named being now resident in Australia, and Mr John Beatty being a member of the Pukekohe borough Council.

The funeral, which took place yesterday in the Pukekohe cemetery, was largely attended by settlers from all around the district. The Rev. J. Stanton, of Auckland, officiated in tbe absence in Wellington of the Vicar (the Rev. F. B. Dobson). At a meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council held on Wednesday a vote of condolence was passed with Mrs Beatty and family in their bereavement.