OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13774, 17 October 1942, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR JAMES MUNRO In the passing of Mr James Munro, who's death occurred last week at the age of 86, one of Tauranga's few remaining links with the past has been severed. Born in Tasmania on August 16. 1856, Mr Munro was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs James Munro. At an early age, with his parents, he went to England, Scotland and later to America where the family resided for some time with relatives. Returning to Australia the family remained there for a short time and in 1864 came to New Zealand, settling in Hamilton, where Mr Munro senior joined the 4th Waikato Regiment. A year later Mr Munro died, and after some time Mrs Munro was married to Mr James Bodell who .was in the Ist Waikato. Shortly afterwards, with her family she moved to Tauranga. At this time the troops were stationed on the camp and the officers' quarters were situated on what is the present Domain. The family's first residence in Tauranga was a mud hut situated on the rise of McLean Street facing the Domain. After residing next on the corner of the Cameron and Judea Roads the family moved to Elizabeth Street to the residence occupied by Mr Munro for 60 years until his death. Mr Munro was apprenticed to the building trade at a very early age and was engaged in the construction of many early Tauranga buildings-

Mr Munro married Miss Jessie Barclay in Auckland and there were three children of the marriage.

Of a quiet and cheerful disposition, Mr Munro, who was a well known personality in Tauranga enjoyed remarkably good health though failing eyesight had severely handicapped him for the past few years. His passing will be greatly regretted. Mrs Munro predeceased her husband and the surviving members of the family are Mr Hugh Munro of Pukekohe, Mrs Bassett of Whangarei, Miss Jessie Munro, of Tauranga, and Mr Munro's sister, Mrs J. Mills of Auckland to whom sympathy is extended in their bereavement.