Bush Advocate (Dannevirke), 6 July 1906
DEATH of Mrs ANNIE HUNTER, Senior (aged 67)

...It is with deep regret we are called upon to record the death of Mrs W. H. Hunter (William Henry), of this town, which occurred at her residence this morning, after a brief illness, the cause of death being heart failure, resulting from an attack of pleurisy.

...The late Mrs Hunter was born in the Isle of Wight in 1839, and two years later arrived in the colony with her father, Mr Thomas Guthrie (1814-1876), in the ship 'Adelaide'
Annie was 4 months old when they emigrated.
The Adelaide left London 18 Sep 1839, arriving in Wellington 7 March 1840

Mr Guthrie having taken up a large block of land at Castlepoint, the subject of this notice was sent to a school in Wellington, where she remained for a number of years, and then joined her parents at Castlepoint.

In 1860 Miss Guthrie was married to Mr William Henry Hunter (1831-1876), brother of the late Mr George Hunter (1821-1880), the well-known merchant, of Wellington. The young couple then took up a run at Porangahau. Here Mrs Hunter remained till 1891 (her husband having died in 1876), when she changed her residence to Dannevirke, where she lived till the date of her death. In the days of her early married life the late Mrs Hunter had to take her full share of all the hardships and dangers incidental to life in the back country, the difficulties of which were greatly increased by the disturbed state of the natives.

Mrs Hunter is survived by four sons:-
W. G. Hunter (William George 1863-1942)
T. H. Hunter (Thomas Henry 1864-)
R. J. Hunter (Robert James 1866-1908)
H. G. Hunter (Harold Graham Hunter 1874-1930)
and two daughters:-
Mrs Campbell Thomson (Helen 1869-1908)
Mrs Reginald Norman Blakiston (Annie Constance 1871-1955)

...The late Mrs Hunter was of a very active disposition, and gave up much time to furthering the Hospital project, which always had her warmest support. She always took a keen interest in volunteering matters, and was prepared to give her assistance to any work with a charitable object.
Her death will be sadly mourned by many residents in Hawkes Bay.
...Mrs Whishaw, of Featherston, a sister of the deceased (Catherine Elizabeth Guthrie), is the only surviving member of Mr Guthrie's family.
...The interment will take place on Sunday afternoon, at 2.30
As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mrs Hunter, Pastor Ries, as chairman of the Hospital Trustees, asked that the proceedings at the Hospital Fancy Fair be suspended for half an hour this afternoon. In doing so he said that they were all exceedingly sorry to hear of Mrs Hunter's death, as that lady was not only an old and respected resident of the district, but was ever ready to assist in movements such as they were now engaged in. In fact she had been working most assiduously for the bazaar prior to her illness, and as a tribute to her memory he moved that the proceedings of the bazaar be suspended for half an hour.
...This, on being seconded, was agreed to, and the doors were accordingly closed

ANNIE HUNTER is buried Grave, 66, Block G at Settlers Cemetery, Dannevirke


NOTES of interest
* Annie's sister Catherine Elizabeth Guthrie, who married John Henley Whishaw in 1873, had a daughter Ethel Anne Whishaw (1878-1967), who married Charles Douglas Blakiston (1868-1950), a son of Annie's daughter Annie Constance Hunter!
(therefore, Annie's niece married Annie's grandson)

* Annie's daughter, Anne Constance & husband Reginald Norman Blakiston (a Solicitor), had a son, Sir Arthur 'Norman' Hunter Blakiston (1899-1977), a Barrister & Solicitor who succeeded to the 8th Baronet Blakiston of London on 31 Jan 1974 (HIS oldest son is Sir Ferguson Arthur James Blakiston (1963-)
* the 1st Blakiston Baronet was Sir Matthew Blakiston (1702-1774), Lord Mayor of London

* Annie's husband, William Henry Hunter & his brother George Hunter were sons of George Hunter (1788-1843), the first Mayor of Wellington (in fact the first Mayor of New Zealand). A nephew of William's, (son of brother George), became
Sir George Hunter (1859-1930)

* William Marshall (1816-1906), Teacher & Clergyman, was the first schoolmaster in Hawkes Bay. In 1853 he left for Thomas Guthrie's station at Castlepoint, Wairarapa, to teach the Guthrie children.

* William & Annie had 7 children. A son, Arthur Clement Hunter, died aged 18
Poverty Bay Herald, 2 March 1886 HUNTER - On Tuesday, 2nd March, at Mrs Bousefield's, Arthur Clement, fourth son of the late W. H. Hunter of Porangahau; aged 18 years. The funeral will leave Mrs Bousefield's at 4p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday). Friends are invited to attend


PHOTO
CASTLEPOINT
Maori name is Rangiwhakaoma, 'where the sky runs'
(the oil fueled light house built c1913, 60 years after Thomas Guthrie arrived)