WITHIN THREE DAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 753, 28 August 1929, Page 6

WITHIN THREE DAYS

ELDERLY COUPLE’S DEATHS ONEHUNGA RESIDENTS Only three days separated the deaths of a well-known elderly couple of Onehunga, Mr. and Mrs. Dugald Cairns, who passed away in an Auckland infirmary to which they were admitted a few weeks ago. Mrs. Cairns entered the institution about six weeks ago, following a fall in which she injured her back, and subsequently Mr. Cairns was admitted, remaining there until his death on Friday at the advanced age of 91. The wife, who meantime was too ill to be informed of her husband’s death, passed away on Monday, aged 86 years. Arriving in New Zealand from Scotland by the ship Viola, Mr. Cairns spent some time on the Thames goldfields. He later commenced farming in the Ness Valley, being one of the pioneer settlers in that district. He married Miss Jane Matthews, who died in 1885. Some years later Mr. Cairns took up property at Papakura, known as Evenley Grove, and married Miss Louisa, Nield. During the next 20 years Mr. Cairns was engaged in farming at Ramarama and also at Avondale and Henderson. The couple made their home at 42 Cameron Street, Onehunga, 20 years ago, and lived there until admission to the infirmary. They are survived by two sons and three daughters. The funeral of Mr. Cairns took place at the Hillsborough cemetery on Monday, and Mrs. Cairns will he interred this afternoon.