OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7831, 25 May 1905, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR PETER MARTIN. It is rarely that we have to chronicle the demise of a settler at such an advanced age as 93, especially of one who, like the late Mr Peter Martin retained the full use of his faculties to the last. The passing away of these veterans invariably recalls the early days of our pioneers, and the hardships they have endured fore settling down to the peaceful serenity of their mature years. The late Mr Marvin, who was born in Kent, left London in 1857 in the barque "William Watson," which arrived at New Plymouth a few days after Christmas, amongst the passengers being Messrs P. C. and J. C. George. Ho was accompanied by his wife and son, an adopted daughter, and his sister, the family settling down at Fitzroy, where they remained for about three years, after which Mr Martin look up a bush section on Smart Road, which he and his son continued to hold up to about four years back, when they retired and returned to Fitzroy to live. During the troublous times of the Maori war father and son served in the defence forces, both in the Militia and in No. 1 Company of the Bushrangers, each of them receiving the New Zealand war medal. No less than three times were the family driven from their home at Smart Road, and forced to make a fresh start each time on their return. On each occasion they made Fitzroy their temporary quarters, and even there had one house burnt over their heads by the natives, and when young Sarten was shot in the lane leading past the Henui Church both Mr Martin and his son saw the Maoris some distance away—it being foggy at the time. They were present at the battle of Waireka, and at several skirmishes with the enemy, but after the trouble was ended, although living in the immediate neighbourhood of the Maoris, they have since been on the most friendly terms with them ; in fact, the natives had for Mr Martin and his family the highest esteem and respect. Although deceased had reached such an advanced age, he took a great interest in the progress of Fitzroy, and one of his favourite ways of spending some of his time — even up to the last — was to pay a daily visit of inspection of every building erected in the township, and his cheerful smile indicated to those he met the happiness of his disposition. His father's life was just a little in excess of his own — 94 years — and he leaves a sister (Mrs King, a resident of New Plymouth), who has just entered upon her 93rd year. About a fortnight ago deceased had an attack of pneumonia, and his vital power gradually ebbed out, his death taking place on Wednesday morning at the residence of his son, Mr W. P. Martin, of Fitzroy.