OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 27 February 1923, Page 8

OBITUARY.

MR. MAX. D. KING.

Mr. Max. D. King, who passed away at Manurcwa on Sunday after a brief illness, was the son of one of Taranakis' earliest settlers, and was born in New Plymouth in the early fifties. He was a man of more than average ability, and had had a very varied experience of life. His mind was a treasure house on matters which pertained to the early! history of Taranaki, and more especially ' during the past 00 years. He was connected in an official way with the early provincial government, and was fond of telling of the pomp and 9tyle which used to be carried out by the early superin-1 tendents at the opening of Parliament ] and on other official occasions. Later he was connected with the Press, which again brought him into close contact with the public men of the early days. As the years passed, Mr. King removed to the young settlement at Hawera. and there made hie marie in the public life of the district, being practically a member of every local body where elected representatives were required to fill public positions. Hfc wae a Forrester and an enthusiastic Mason. His pen was never idle, and he contributed many valuable articles to the Press. After leaving Hawera he lived at Coromandel for a period. Then he was in Devonport, where he established a business of which he was the senior partner. Eventually, in the evening of his daye, he settled at Manure wa. and for some time was on the town board there. Recently, when he visited bis old district of Taranaki, he was much cheered when the people who had known him long ago, presented him with an illuminated address for the former good work he had done for the benefit of the people. He was a kindly man, who throughout a long life had very often done more for others than he had done for himself. He was a typical colonial, being free and easy in manner and ever ready to help others.