LOWER VALLEY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4776, 18 July 1894, Page 3

LOWER VALLEY.

.Hi' , ' (From Our Own Correspondent.)

In my notes of ramblcsovcr Pihauten, I referred to the unfortunate fact that the lady of the homestead (Mrs C. It. Bidwill) was very unwell. Some six weeks after, I had tho pleasure of chronicling the home-coming of Mr W. E. Bidwill with his bride, when all was hilarity, the first to welcome them on crossing the thresholdboing their motlier. It is now scarcely two months since, and I have the painful duty of recording the demise of tho lady alluded to—Mrs C. li. Bidwill. I can't at present bring my mind to realise that it is true. It seems as if it were a dream; to think that the queenly presence of one, who for over .10 years has reigned nt Pihautca, has departed for ever. That it could not be tmclbut.alas! it is only too true. Wis usually understood that to a woMIi her home is her palace, and it could" not more fittingly apply than in the present instance, for to'her.thc home was not only her palace, hut she made a perfect palace of her home, and only as recently as six months ago, might nave been seen from 6 a.m. to ft p.m. every day, apparently in the full vigor of health, and certainly with an activity unequalled'by any person of her age, within my knowledge. It is no cxtnvugance to say the Pihautca home was a model one, everything in its place and a place for everything, under the management of the deceased lady. I might mention that when the late MrsC. Ji. Bidwill first undertook the management of domestic duties at Pnhaufea, about 45 years ago, she was, I believe, the first lady in the AVairarapa to do so, and the transit ot goods and stores, and travelling was a toil little imagined by more recent arrivals. For instance when it was possible to cross the mountain torrents of the Tararua linage, which in some instances were so swollen as to menu a delay •of' several weeks in getting goods from Wellington to Featherston, the price charged was 20s per cwt., and one felt very lucky indeed if he got a reply to any correspondence once a fortnight. By way of illustrating the delay and trouble in travelling in those days to our progressive times, I might mention that a telegram was sent to Mrs It. Bhodcs, of Duiicdin (Mrs C. li. Bidwill's youngest daughter) telling of the snd death of her mother nt 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, and nt 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening Mr and Mrs Khodes were nt Pihautca. But to resume. I mentioned in one of my other communications how largely was due to the late Mrs C. E. Bidwill, the advanced state of the Pihauten estate. It certainly equally applies to the present position of her family, and very largo family circle, for with her, practice nnd precept went bond in hand. The .conscientious rectitude of her private life; her fortitude and herfaitli,affording a bright example to her family, and to those amongst whom her lot was cast forso manyycars,aiidwithwhom shoremainedworkiiigzoalously,aiid anxiously, alike for their present welfare and com- ' fort and their future happiness, until her failing health and consequent inability to perform her accustomed duties, compelled her reluctantly to relegate to others the management of the _ household, but still under her direction. But it did not remain so long, for on the morning of Tuesday, 10th July, at half-past four a.m., half an hour after partaking of some light refreshment, she desired to haven slecpwhichproved herlast earthly one, for surrounded by several members of her family, and sorrowing relatives, she dosed her eyes on the world, falling asleep so gently and peacefully withher head reclining on one hand as if in deep thought, while the other held a fan so calmly that her departure could not be detected,

11 The look of sympathy, llio gentle word, •Spoken so low that only hdrcls heard, The secret art of pare sell-sacrifice, Unseen by others, but marked by angel eyes, They ore not lost." Tlic deceased lady leaves three sous mid sixdiwghtcrs to mourn their irrcimrablo loss. They arc:—Mr John Bidwill married to Miss Mareliant; Mr W. E. Bidwill married Miss Bhodcs; Mr 1 " unninrriod; Mrs Hulton, of Fcrnsido, Foatherston i Mrs Balfour, of JNapier; MrsH. Bcetham,ofßra]iccpcth;Mr3 Holmes Warren, of Tiraumca; Mrs J. Bhodcs, of Napier; Mrs 11, Bhodcs, of Dunedin. The funeral took place on the 12th inst, and although the weather was extremely inclement, the attendance was very large. Nearly all the business places were closed'at Fcathcrston, and the residents showed in every way their feelings of deep regret for the loss of one generally respected. The funeral cortege, when leaving the Church consisted of 47 vehicles of all kinds, 200 pedestrians and 100 equestrians, besides many ladies who were at the cemetery, Tlio lfcv. A. V. Grace conducted the service in an impressive manner. The coffin was covered with kautiful wreaths and crosses, as was also the hearse, and each member of the family circle curried a very handsome wreath of white eamelias, Handsome wreaths •* v were sent by McsdamesHuttoiiißalfour, Bcotlium, Warren, and Bhodcs (2), also by Mrs Levin, Mrs Dr. Collins, Mr •\ Coleman Phillips. MrsA.Martin sent a >f> lovely cross of blue and white violets. The Misses Busscl), of Wnngaimoana, sent a very haudsomc wreath; Miss Pharazyn, of Longwood, also scuta lovely cross of violets; Miss Barton, a very pretty wreath; and many'others 1 whose names I did not have the opportunity of learning, so I must ask tho kind indulgence of any I have omitted. i..- ■-. In fact,' it was perfectly marvellous to find so many lovely flowers collected in the middle of winter.