Napier

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 23, 8 June 1905, Page 5

Napier

(From our own correspondent.) The death took place on May 18 of a very old resident of this .district, in the person of Mrs. Margaret McGrath, mother of Mr. W. J. McGrath, of Napier. The defceased lady, who was 65 years of age, was a native of Tipperary, Ireland. She came to Napier 42 years ago, and: was the first white woman to go to the Mahia, where her husband carried on business as a storekeeper. She had many exciting experiences during the Maori troubles, the Hauhaus on one occasion setting fire to the store at the Mahia while she was an inmate, but she rr.afle goodi her escape, being cared for by tne friendly Natives until able to return to Napier. The late Mrs. McGrath was a zealous worker in the cause of .charity, nursing the sick and helping the poor and needy, her ministrations continuing up to within a short time of her death. She was, an exemplary Catholic, being fortified at death by all tne rites of Holy Church. The funeral, which took place on May 19, was largely attended, notwithstanding the inclement weather, tne cortege comprising the Mayor and many of the Borough Councillors. The Rev. Father Bell officiated at the graveside.—R.l.P.