LONG ASSOCIATION WITH HARBOUR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14571, 15 January 1948, Page 2

LONG ASSOCIATION WITH HARBOUR

DEATH OF MATATA * FARMER

Member of Tauranga Board

For 22 Years

Keen Bay Of Plenty

Bowler

Twenty-two years of service as a member of the Tauranga Harbour Board ended this week with the death of Mr R. Wilson, of Matata. Throughout Mr Wilson's long association with the board he had represented the Matata riding of the Whakatane County Council, and had shown a keen interest in the affairs of the harbour. His service with the board was the second longest of the present members, Mr C. C. McNaughton having been first elected in 1923, three years before Mr Wilson. The death of Mr Wilson occurred in Dunedin where he had been participating in the singles championship at the New Zealand bowling tournament. With Messrs A. Duncan, C. Burt and C. O. Bayley, Mr Wilson was a member of a team representing the Tauranga South Bowling Club at the tournament. At the conclusion of, the singles championship, at which he had done quite well, Mr Wilson was to compete in the pairs and rinks tournament. Mr Wilson's deep interest in bowling was borne out by the fact that in addition to being a member ol the Tauranga South Bowling Club, he also wore the colours of the Whakatane and Ngongotaha clubs, and was one of the prime movers in the .formation of a Matata club. He was president of the latter club at the time of his death.

Organisations, which were deserving of support, did not find Mr Wilson lacking, and his energy in promoting the welfare of such bodies was well known in the Bay of Plenty, and especially in Tauranga. He was a good tennis player, and ranked among the top players of the Matata club. He was also a past president of the Rangitaiki Defence Rifle Club. In his early days in Scotland Mr Wilson distinguished himself as 'an athlete, and at that time established several records. In one year he represented the Police Force in a tug o' war contest between Scotland and England, while ,he was an outstanding performer in throwing the hammer and putting the shot contests. Before coming to New Zealand 40 years ago, Mr Wilson was a member of the Police Force. On arrival in the Dominion he commenced farming operations, settling in the Rangitaiki district 35 years ago. The area which he purchased, was then in a very rough condition! Large-scale drainage work was carried out with other improvements, and today the farm is a high-pro-ducing area.

Mr Wilson is survived by his wife and two daughters, who twin brothers, and there are six grandchildren. His two daughters are Mrs E. A. Hill and Mrs A. Hill. Mrs A. Hill's husband was killed in Libya while serving with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force.