Obituary

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 504, 6 November 1928, Page 15

Obituary

MRS. H. F. SPIERS The death occurred suddenly at Hairini on Saturday night of Mrs. If. F. Spiers. She leaves a husband and family of one daughter and three sons. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, and was largely attended. The Rev. Father Edge officiated ut the graveside. MR. WILLIAM BOOKER Ail early Tuakau settler. Mr. William Booker, died yesterday at the age of 82. Born at Geelong, Victoria, Mr. Booker came to Auckland in 1863, and after a short stay at Drury settled at Tuakau, which was then a thickly bush-clad country. At first he purchased only a few acres, but later increased his ‘property to 65 acres, and carried on dairy farming and fruit growing. For some years Mr. Booker served on the Tuakau School* Committee, and since 1883 had been a member of the Good Templars Order. For many years he was a member of the Blue Banner Lodge, 134, and was several times chairman. MRS. M. A. LAWRENCE A well-knqwn resident of the Rakaia district, Canterbury, Mrs. Mary Ann Lawrence, has died at the age of 65. Born at East Lynn, near Sittingbourne, Kent, Mrs. Lawrence came to New Zealand about 40 years ago in the ship Taranaki, landing 'at Lyttelton. Soon after landing, she married Mr. Joseph Lawrence, and they lived in the Rakaia district, where Mrs. Lawrence was a maternity nurse, her ability and kind disposition winning her many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence moved to Manurewa about 15 years ago, where Mrs. Lawrence continued nursing. Since the death of her husband, seven years ago, she had lived with her daughter, Mrs. R. Tlaslett, of Pukekolie. MRS. MATILDA KINDBERG For 70 years Mrs. Matilda Kindberg, who died recently at the home of her son, Mr. John Kindberg. Hinemoa Road. Grey Lynn, had been a resident of New Zealand. , . Coming to New Zealand from Sweden with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Johansen, Mrs. Kindberg landed at Napier, and the family lived in the Hawke's Bay district for about six years, moving to New Plymouth, where Mrs. Kindberg married Mr. Kindberg, another Swedish settler. For some time thev lived in Palmerston North, but in 1901 they moved to Stratford, where Mr. Kindberg died, and until three months ago Mrs. Kindberg lived in New Plymouth. , , Mr si Kindberg is survived by seven sons and four daughters, of a family of 15 There are 17 grandchildren. Seven sons served with the New Zealand Forces at the Great War, and all returned. MR. T. D’ARCY -HAMILTON The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Thomas DArcy-Hamilton, a schoolteacher in the early days, at the age Born in Edinburgh Mr. D’Arcy Hamilton studied for medicine at Edinburgh University, and came to New Zealand about 50 years ago, entering the service of the Education Department and teaching in schools in different parts of the country. At one time he was headmaster of the Eltham School and his last post was that of headmaster of Kawhia School. At Kawhia Mr. D’Arcy-Hamilton s knowledge of medicine stood him in good stead, as he acted as medical officer for the Maoris, and in times ot stress also ministered to the Europeans. He was a Justice of the Peace, conducting Court business, and was also registrar of births, deaths and marriages. IJe retired 20 years ago. living at Kawhia and Aucklnd. Mr. D’Arcy-Hamilton is survived by his wife, one son and two daughters. MR. THOMAS BELL Another of the old colonists, Mr. Thomas Bell, died suddenly at his home. Great South Road. Kllerslie. on Saturday at the age of 90. Born in Lanark, Scotland, Air. Bell was the son of a well-known Scottish landowner and at the age of 18 left home and went f rom Canada to Australia and then to New Zealand, arriving in this country in 1843. He settled in the Ivaipara district and a*, the time of the first goldrush interested himself in mining but he soon returned to Kaipara where he engaged in farmSome years later Mr. Bell came to Auckland and was the first manager of r the Auckland Oil Company now Known as the Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Compav. For three years he managed an estate in California but later returned to resume his former position. Of the Maoris he had many interesting reminiscences and held the race in high esteem. He was a brother of Dr. James Bell, one of the original Albert- > landers, and married Miss Lydia ■ Houghton, who died 11 years ago. M. Bell is survived by three sons and four daughters.