THE LATE MRS BANKS.

Shannon News, 13 March 1928, Page 2

THE LATE MRS BANKS.

HER GREAT WORK IN THE WAR PERIOD. There passed away at the Palmerston N. hospital on Thursday „morning, one of Levin’s pioneers and a lady of sterling worth, in the person of Mrs Ella Banks, wife of Mr David Banks, of Rina Street. The deceased was a resident of over 40 years’ standing, and at the time of her death was CO years of age. Until quite recently it was not known that she was seriously ill, and her death, which occurred suddenly at 8 o'clock, came as a great shock to’her many friends. The late Mrs Banks arrived from the Old Country as a girl, on the ship La’Oge in 1875, with her parents, the late Mr and Mrs Aldridge (afterwards Mrs Finnis), who settled in Palmerston. She came to Levin with her first husband, Mr William Hanson, who worked at Bartholomew’s mill from the time when it was established at the Avenue, and subsequently when it was shifted to .Weraroa, and who died as the result of an accident, which befel him at his work. Alwavs a generous worker for the Anglican Church and an over-ready helper of those afflicted with sickness or trouble, Mrs Banks became an indefatigable supporter of patriotic movements during the War, in which her son William served from the departure of the Main Body until the close of the conflict, Throughout that period she applied herself to assisting the cause of the Belgian refugees, and during the four years she was personally responsible for the preparation and despatch of 3700 garments. Early and late her energies were devoted to this self-sac-rificing task, and it has been said that passers-by at night heard her at hei machine at 11 o’clock, and that men going to early tasks had been greeted by the same sound at 4 in the morning. Her labours will long be remembered by those who -knew her intimately, and they can relate some remarkable instances of her interest in her self-im-posed duty. A characteristic action was her undertaking to wheel a barrow containing the packed-up goods §lie had prepared, so that she might save the cost of cartage to the station and invest the money so gained in purchasing remnants and other materials for making-up the garments destined to clothe the needy. Her house was a depot where discarded clothing was brought, to be washed and renovated so that it might be added to the country’s gifts. The rags that were too far gone to be made up again she sold for pulping, and with the proceeds bought cotton for her work. Practically all of the enterprise she carried.out alone, being assisted only with the packing of the finished products. When the Peace Memorial gates at the Weraroa Domain were opened, Mn Banks had the honour of presenting the key to the late Mr Massey, then Prime Minister, who performed the ceremony; and her portrait was published in the souvenir programme, beneath her name being a reference to her war work, with the appropriate lines added:

“Truly, ‘she hath done what she could,’ “The friend of the little children.”

The deceased had been ailing for a considerable time, but gave little indication of her condition, which she was inclined to regard lightly. Her husband has also been ill for some months, and she was assiduous in her attendance on him until her own ailment prevented her from rendering further help. She attended the Weraroa Church on Sunday evening, but on Monday had to seek medical advice urgently, and on Wednesday she was taken to the Palmerston hospital. An internal growth in the region of the heart- was responsible for her serious state, and the end came quickly, the deceased expiring suddenly but- peacefully yesterday morning just as she was about to take her breakfast.

The late Mrs Banks leaves three children of the first marriage—Mr. William Hanson, who was invalided home from the war, Mrs A. Mason, of Shannon, and Mrs E. L. Hudson,’ of Levin—and one of the -second marriage, Mr Ronald Banks, of Martinborough. Miss Hudson, of Levin, is a grand-daughter. Much sympathy willTre extended to the husband and family, and to the deceased’s brother, Mr W. 11. Aldridge, of Levin, and her sisters —Mrs Frank Whitaker and Mrs 11.. Atkins, of Levin, Mrs A. Hewitt and Mrs P. Hanson, ot Palmerston, Mrs Burton and Mrs Lane, of Auckland, Mrs James Hanson, of Waipukurau, and Mrs McTaggart, of Sydney.

The funeral of the late Mrs Emma Banks, which took place at the Levin Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, was attended by a large and representative following, and a fitting tribute was paid to the deceased lady's unsparing sacrifice of time and health in the cause of charity, particularly on behalf of the Belgian sufferers during the World War. Beautiful wreaths numbering nearly a hundred, and including a handsome token from the Levin branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, accompanied the casket to its resting-place. The burial service was read by the Rev. J. C. Davies, and the pall-bearers were six nephews of the deceased, from Palmerston North and Wellington. Many messages of condolence were received, includ.ng one from Mr W. 11. Field, M.P. Relatives were present from various parts of New Zealand, besides many old settlers, and the closing scene around the bunal plot was a very impressive one.