MARUA PIONEER’S DEMISE NORTHERN ADVOCATE, 20 MAY 1926
LATE MRS. AGNES MADDREN. One of the earliest settlers of Mania district crossed the great divide at 2.30 a.m. yesterday, when Mrs. Agnes Maddren, who was in her 73rd year, passed away after having been in failing health during the past two or throe years.
Deceased, who was predeceased by her husband, the late Mr. W. T. Maddren, was a daughter of the late Mr. James-Snell, and she was born at New Lynn, Penzance, Cornwall, in 1554. At the age of 20 years she was married and the young couple immediately afterwards migrated to Now Zealand. For five or six years they resided at Lyttelton and Christchurch, before coming North and taking up land at Mania.
At that time means of access to that district were very crude but the young pioneers lived on the gum fields until they could get their section cleared. It was a frequent experience for the late Mrs. Maddren, who in her girlhood days had known little of roughing it and nothing of horse-riding, to carry a fifty of flour before her on the saddle ns the only means of conveying it to tbc homestead which she and her husband established.
The Maddren’s home was a well-known half-way stopping place on the route between Hikurangi and Whananaki and the Mimiwhangata station. Many travellers in those early days had reason appreciate the kindly welcome extended to them by the deceased lady. A family of twelve were reared, of whom the following survive:—
William James, bootmaker, of Dargavillo; George Thomas, blacksmith, of Otahuhu; Edwin John, builder, of New Lyun; Richard Henry, of Russell Road, Whangarei; Robert Charles, farmer, of Tatanui, near Morrinsville; Samuel Walter, butcher, 7 % 7 7 of Te Aroha; Ernest Leonard and Mary Agnes, of Mania; Margaret Ellen, of Wellington; Mrs Short, of Ponsonby; and Mrs Storrar, of Now Plymouth.
Deceased, who was a prominent Wesleyan in the early days, will be buried at the Marua, cemetery tomorrow. Ail the surviving sons and daughters were home when the end came, and the worthy pioneer will be carried to her resting place tomorrow by her sons.