One of Stratford's oldest identities passed away suddenly on Saturday afternoon in the person of Mrs W. M. Doughty, of Broadway, Stratford.

Mrs Doughty arrived in New Zealand with her husband and family of three in the barque Wairou in 1880, and after spending seven years in New Plymouth, removed with her husband and family to Stratford in the year 1887, and has resided in Stratford ever since.
Mr and Mrs Doughty, with the eldest daughter (Mrs W. Hughes, of Nelson) had been spending a fortnight's holiday in New Plymouth returning to Stratford by Saturday afternoon's train, when Mrs Doughty was then apparently in the best of health.
However, a telegram commanding the presence of herself and husband in Wellington on the 24th inst. to receive the Military Cross awarded to her late son, Lieutenant Ralph Doughty, seriously affected her, and a heart seizure at 5 o'clock caused her sudden demise. Dr Steven was called, but his services were unavailing.
The deceased leaves a family of three sons, Messrs W. T. (Wanganui), Fred (New Plymouth), Joseph (Sydney), and four daughters (Mesdames W. Hughes, S. Ward, J. H. Ashton, and B. V. Kivell) to morn her loss.
The funeral took place this afternoon, and was attended by a large number of friends of the deceased lady.