The death of Mr. Wesley Hooker, Vogeltown, occurred at New Plymouth on Thursday at the age of  78 years.  A member of one of New Plymouth's well known pioneer families. Mr. Hooker was widely known in the carrying business for many years and also as a mountaineer and sportsman.
Mr. Hooker was born at New Plymouth, where he lived most of his life.  He was a son of the late Nathaniel Hooker, who traveled to New Plymouth on the Timandra. His mother, who arrived at New Plymouth on the William Bryan was, before her marriage, Miss Elizabeth Lye. His father was a stonemason and helped to build St. Mary's Church, the Devon Street bridge and the breakwater. He had seven brothers and five sisters, of whom Messrs. Samuel Hooker and Walter Hooker and Madames R. Putt, Atkins and Stuart are still  alive.
A keen mountaineer, Mr. Hooker used to guide many visitors and climbers to Mount Egmont. Mr. Hooker was a member of the Avenue Road cricket (club?) and an enthusiastic golf player. He was at different times a member of the Vogeltown and Paritutu Bowling Clubs.
Mr. Hooker married twice, his first wife being Miss Annie Mundt, who died 44 years ago, and his three children of that marriage were Messrs Eric Hooker and Hiram Hooker and Mrs. R. Smith. He is survived by his second wife formerly Miss Elizabeth Smith, three children , Mrs. W. Trebes, Mr. A. Hooker and Mrs. A. Weston, 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon at Te Henul cemetery, the Rev. (E..?) D. Patchett officating. Bearers all members of the New Plymouth, Carriers Association, were Messrs. F. Lobb, N. Lobb, C. Dey and R. Kibby.