LATE MRS. MARGARET WATTS
With the passing of Mrs Margaret Watts (née Entwisle), of Feilding, who died on Friday last, there was severed another link with the pioneering days of both Wellington and Feilding. Both Mr and Mrs Watts came of original pioneers who crossed the miles of trackless seas in the sailing ships which brought to New Zealand the foundations of its present population. Both lived long and useful lives to participate in the development of the country and in the evening of their lives to sit quietly by musing upon the changing scenes.

The late Mrs Watts was born at Burnley, Lancashire, in 1852, and six years later arrived at Wellington with her parents in the ship Oliver Lang. This proved to be this vessel’s last voyage and an anxious one it was for all concerned. On the way out when far from land the Oliver Lang collided with a Home-bound vessel and limped into Wellington in a sinking condition to be beached at Kaiwarra, after a voyage occupying 13 weeks. The hull of the vessel remained at Kaiwarra for many years. The family, on disembarking, proceeded to the Hutt and later removed to Picton. It was at this period that the late Mrs Watts met her husband, who predeceased his wife by four years. Mr Watts was born in Wellington in 1844, his parents having arrived on the ship Arab (484 tons) in October, 1841. After their marriage, Mrs Watts lived at Koromiko and at Picton until 1878 when they came on to take up their residence in the new settlement of Feilding, where they remained until their deaths. Both were worthy and honoured settlers of Feilding for over half a century and the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will go out to those who will mourn the loss of a pioneer mother. The late Mrs Watts leaves a family of three sons, Messrs A. W. and Arthur, of Wellington, and James, of Palmerston North, and four daughters, Mesdames Trewin (Auckland), Ritchie (Cambridge), Clayton (Shannon), and Z. McLeod (Feilding). Mr D. Entwisle, of Feilding, is a brother, and there are numerous grandchildren. (Manawatu Standard, Aug. 23, 1932; also Horowhenua Chronicle)