PUKEKOHE EAST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 331, 20 November 1917, Page 2

PUKEKOHE EAST.

DEATH OF MRS MARY EA.BTON ALMOST A CENTENARIAN. In the death that took place at her residence at Pukekohe East on Saturday last of Mrs Mary Eaaton, wife of the late Mr George Easton, the district of Pukekohe loses another of the few remaining of its earliest settlers. Ihe deceased lady, who was in her 99th year of age, was born in Scotland and in company with her husband, who died some 24 years ago, came out to New Zealand in 1841. They first lived in Wellington and then in Auckland, the late Mr Easton following his trade as a baker. Farming, however, duly engaged his attention and he next took up a section at Cabbage Tree Swamp. In 1862 Mr and Mrs Easton made their way to Pukekohe East where they acquired a bush farm. When the Maori war was in progress in 1863 Mrs Eis ton went for safety to Drury but her husband and only son, the late Mr James Easton, who died Fome three years ago, forme! part of the small knot of settlers that were gathered together in the Pukekohe East Church when it was besieged by the natives. On the conclmion of the war Mrs Easton returned to Pukekohe East and has resided there ever since. Despite her advanced 'age and the trials and vicissitudes of life she naturally went through in the early days the late Mrs Eiston retained her faculties up to the very last. She is survived by nine grandchildren, including Private Alfred Easton, who is at the front and who also took part in the Boer war, and Privates Walter and William Easton, both of whom are in camp, and eleven great-grand-children. * The funeral took place yesterday at Pukekohe East Cemetery, Mr R. Begbie (Church of Christ) offiaiatinjr, in the presence of a large assembly of settlers from all around the district.