Charles MATTHEWS

1878 - 1942  (64 years)

• Name	Charles MATTHEWS
  Birth	15 Feb 1878	Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1905
  	Farmer, Patutahi, Gisborne
  Occupation	1914  [2]
  	Farmer, Gisborne
  Death	08 Dec 1942	Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand   [1, 3]
  Burial	10 Dec 1942	Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand   [3]
  Person ID	I19254	NZ Genealogy Project
  Last Modified	15 Jun 2020

  
  

  Family	Eleanor Meyers WILLSON [Nellie],   b. 16 Jul 1881, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand d. 29 Jul 1971, Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand (Age 90 years)
  Marriage	20 Aug 1902	Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand   [1, 4]
  Residence	1914	Mangapapa, Gisborne, New Zealand   [2]
  Family ID	F6561	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	10 Sep 2024

  
  

• Event Map		Birth - 15 Feb 1878 - Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England Marriage - 20 Aug 1902 - Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand Residence - 1914 - Mangapapa, Gisborne, New Zealand Death - 08 Dec 1942 - Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand Burial - 10 Dec 1942 - Gisborne, Gisborne, New Zealand  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Headstones

  Grave - Charles and Eleanor MATTHEWS MATTHEWS - Sacred to the memory of EDWIN MATTHEWS, died 25 November 1933 aged 86 years; also CHARLES, beloved husband of Eleanor Matthews, died 8 December 1942 aged 64 years; and his beloved wife, ELEANOR, died 29 July 1971 aged 90 years. Plot: Block: 4/A NORTH, Plot #: 1

  
  

• Notes

  OBITUARY ACTIVE LIFE ENDS MR. CHAS. MATTHEWS LONG PUBLIC SERVICE PIONEER SHEEPFARMER By the death yesterday evening, after a brief illness, of Mr. Charles Matthews, the Gisborne district lost a resident who had played an outstanding part in the farming, commercial and public life of the community. On Sunday morning Mr. Matthews suffered a seizure from which he failed to rally. Born in England in 1878. Mr. Matthews came to New-Zealand with his parents, who settled in Patutahi. His father, Mr. Edwin Matthews, was a builder, but, attracted by the possibilities of farming in the district, acquired the Te Ruanui station, the breaking in of which was largely left to his son. In later years, Mr. Charles Matthews acquired other properties in the district, notably the Te Kopae station, which he also broke in from the rough. Throughout the district, and, indeed, much further afield, Mr. Matthews was known as an extremely competent farmer and breeder of Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Southdown sheep, and in this sphere he had earned a reputation that was rivalled by few. 16 Years County Chairman The energy and zeal which he had devoted to his personal activities Mr. Matthews brought also into the public life of the district, which benefited in many ways from his able and farsighted administrative ability. Outstanding in this connection was his membership of the Cook County Council for a period of 24 years, for 16 of which he was chairman. Under his leadership, the County Council embarked upon a progressive programme which was largely responsible for the greatly improved amenities now enjoyed by the settlers. His position on the County Council brought him larger and wider responsibilities. His experience on that body made him a valued member of the District Highways Council and Transport Licensing Authority and, in addition, he frequently represented the council at important local and national conferences. At various times he was also a member of the Mangapapa Town Board, the Cook Hospital Board, and the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board. In all of these activities he was noted for the soundness of his judgment and the breadth of his experience. Semi-public duties also claimed a considerable share of his time, and in this connection no appeals made to him for a deserving cause fell on deaf ears. As chairman of the executive of the East Coast Patriotic Council he necessarily took a large part in the administrative work of that body and in the raising of funds for patriotic purposes. Last year he filled with distinction the position of chairman of the Competitions Society, and contributed largely to the success of a festival which was held under difficult conditions. He was also a keen member of the executive of the Crippled Children's Society and of the Rotary Club. Company Directorships Less well known, perhaps, were Mr. Matthews' associations with the commercial life of the district. He was a director of the ill-fated Poverty Bay Farmers' Meat Company, Limited, which experienced such difficult times 20 years ago, and other directorships which he held at the time of his death were those of Messrs. Williams arid Kettle Limited, Messrs. Adair Brothers, Limited, and Messrs. T. Corson arid Sons, Limited. In business affairs and in his public and private life Mr. Matthews was known for his equable temperament, his sound advice, and the enthusiasm which he applied to everything to which he set his hand. For 33 years Mr Matthews had been actively connected with the Masonic Lodge as a member of Lord Abercorn, which had conferred its highest honours on him, and he had also held honours in the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter. He is survived by his widow, a daughter of the late Mr. A. J. J. Willson, and four sons and four daughters, Messrs. C. E. Matthews, of Waerenga-o-kuri, A. J. Matthews, of Rere, P. W. Matthews, of The Willows, Lieutenant R. H. Matthews, serving in the Middle East, Mesdames W. T. Brown, of Wellington, J. D. Kinder, of Gisborne, O. R. Bartrum, of Tolaga Bay, and Miss E. Matthews, of Gisborne. The funeral will take place at Taruheru cemetery to-morrow after a service at his late residence, "Alyth," Hospital Hill. Source: Gisborne Herald, 9 December 1942 Page 2

  
  

• Sources

  [S1594] Anthea Hawley, Ancestry.com - Public Member Tree - Hawley/Matthews/Duckmanton Family Tree, (Ancestry.com). [S614] NZ Electoral Rolls, 1853-2010, (Ancestry.co.uk.), none. [S530] Gisborne District Council Cemetery Record Search, (Gisborne District Council, Gisborne). [S1590] guinhall, Ancestry.com - Public Member Tree - Hall Family Tree, (Ancestry.com).