MARY HANNAH ACKROYD  was b: 18 Aug 1864 in Arowhenua, Sth Canterbury,  the first dau. born to parents John Edmund and Maria Ackroyd; she d: 26 Aug 1949 at Arowhenua, Temuka

On 9th Aug 1893 Mary mar:  LEONARD CHARLES HORNE ROOKE iat St Saviour Church, Temuka

Leonard  was the son of LEONARD HORNE ROOKE (1833 -1915) and EMMA DUFFELL (1843-19270 and was  b: 16 Feb 1866 in Christchurch, and d. 12 Jun 1945 at Arowhenua, Temuka.

HIS FATHER: OBITUARY: LEONARD HORNE ROOKE: The death is announced at Temuka of an old resident, the late Mr Rooke. He was the son of Captain Leonard Rooke. R.N., and was born in Florence, Italy, eightv-two years ago, and educated in England. In 1850 he came to Canterbury in the ship "Sir George Seymour", and lived in Christchurch until 1866,

Lyttelton Times 3 May 1851: RURAL SECTIONS CHOSEN. No. 155. L. C Rooke. 50 acres in the Christchurch district, commencing at 2 miles 620 links on the Lincoln and Harewood road, frontage to the road, west 12 and a half chains, back about 40 chains at right angles, and numbered 155 on the chief surveyor's map

He next started. farming at Washdyke and in 1875 he removed to Hilton. Mr Rooke gave up farming in 1895, and had since lived in Davey Street, Temuka. (Lay reader St Saviours Church) He leaves a widow and grown-up family

HIS MOTHER: OBITUARY: MRS EMMA ROOKE. A very old South Canterbury pioneer passed away at her residence, Davey Street, Temuka. on Saturday morning, in the person of Mrs Emma Rooke, in her 81th year. The late Mrs Rooke was born in Surrey, and at the early age of years, came to New Zealand with her parent, Mr. and Mrs William Duffell, arriving at Lyttelton on 27th December, I85O, in the ."Cressy," one of the first four ships to come to Canterbury. The family settled at Papanui, and at that place she married the late Mr L. A. Rooke in I86I, her husband also coming to New Zealand in one of the first four ships. They resided at Fendalton, and came to South Canterbury 1866, living first at the Washdyke then at Hilton, where they followed farming- pursuits for 19 years. On retiring in 1895, they came' to Temuka, where the late Mr Rooke predeceased her in May, 1915, having lived a retired life for 20 years at Temuka. The deceased lady had; been in poor health for some months past. She was very proud of the fact that she was one of the oldest, pioneers and notable figure at the Old Pioneers' Day celebrations at Temuka, though she was prevented by ill-health from attending the service in the Anglican Church on the last occasion. Her kindly disposition endeared her to all, and much sympathy is felt for the relatives in their bereavement. There were eight children of the marriage, all of whom are surviving, viz., Mr Henry Rooke (Orari), Mr, Leonard Rooke (Arowhenua)., Mr William Rooke (Albury) Mr Arthur Rooke (Waddington), Mr Ernest Rooke (Orari), Mrs S..H. Pierce (Hilton), and Miss Rooke and Mrs J. F. J Hunt (Temuka)' The interment took place yesterday atternoon at the Temuka Cemetery, the Rev. G. Nelliam Watson officiating at the graveside.

NOTES FOR LEONARD CHARLES HORNE and MARY HANNAH ROOKE:

Temuka Leader 11 February 1892: FOR SALE—About 180 Acres of STUBBLE FEED. For particulars apply L. ROOKE, Geraldine

Timaru Herald 26 Nov 1896: LAND TRANSFER ACT NOTICES. NOTICE is hereby given that the several parcels ofrLaud hereinafter described will be brought under the provisions of " The Land Transfer Act, 1885," unless caveat be lodged forbidding the same on or before the 21st day of December, 1896. 7965. LEONARD ROOKE, 254 acres \ 3 roods, Lot 22, Plan 1009, part of : Rural Section 3159, Geraldine ' Survey District; occupied by applicant. Diagrams may be inspected at this office. Dated this 14th day of November, 1896, at the Lands Registry Office, Christchurch. G. G. BRIDGES, District Land Registrar.

Timaru Herald 24 March 1903; WANTED —A Man to drive a Team and make himself useful on a Farm. Apply L. Rooke, Geraldine.

Temuka Leader 17 Jan 1905 :GUINNESS & LeCREN, LTD, McILROY AND TURNER, Joint Auctioneers. Farm for sale. WOODBURY. MESSRS GUINNESS & LeCREN, Ltd., have received instructions from Mr L. Rooke ,(who has bought another property) to offer for Sale by Auction, at our Rooms, Geraldine, on "WEDNESDAY, Ist FEBRUARY At 3 p.m. His handy little Farm, situate about 4 miles from Geraldine on the Woodbury-Geraldine Road, comprising— -95 Acres, divided into 8 paddocks, all well watered, with 5 roomed House and Outbuildings. 40 acres in oats, 5 in wheat, balance in grass. For further particulars apply— GUINNESS & LeCREN. LTD., Auctioneers, Geraldine.

Timaru Herald 8 Aug 1906; GERALDINE. The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Road Board < was held yesterday.Messrs C. Gimson and L. Rooke waited on the Board asking that a portion of Raukapuka road be improved where the Raukapuka estate plantation shades the same. They also suggested the erection of a stock bridge over the creek at this place.—lt was resolved to give Messrs Campbell Bros, notice to cut trees where, they shade the road. It was also agreed to erect a cheap stock bridge from old bridge timber which the Board has in stock, the bridge to be wide enough to take motor cars.

Waimate Daily Advertiser 12 Oct 1908 Commercial. PROPERTY SALES. The Canterbury Farmers' Cooperative Association Limited report the sale of the following properties at satisfactory prices:on account of Mr L. Rooke, 125 acres with buildings at Orari to Mr W. Regan;

Ashburton Guardian: 22 Jun 1912:  LAND SALES: Messrs Guinness and LeCren, Limited, Geraldine, report the following additional land sales to date:—On account of Mr J. Connolly, to Mr L. Rooke, 768 acres, being all the agricultural land on the Woodside Estate; on account of Mr L. Rooke, 254 acres near Geraldine, to Mr J. Connolly;

Timaru Herald 14 Mar 1914: AUCTIONEERS, GUINNESS AND LeCREN, LTD, S PLEASANT POINT SALE. MONDAY, 16th MARCH. Account Mr L. Rooke, Woodside—--3 DRAUGHT MARES and GELD INGS, 3 to 7 years, good in all work; any trial.