Obituary Mr Peter Newton

Press, 2 May 1984, Page 21

Obituary Mr Peter Newton

Peter Newton, one of New Zealand’s best-known high country authors, died at his home at Rangiora on Monday. He was aged 77. Alfred Nevil Wells Newton, who was always known as Peter Newton, was born in Wellington, but at an early age was attracted to the high country. On leaving Christchurch Boys’ High School he worked on a farm and later became a musterer, farmer, high country station manager, author, and social historian. Mr Newton wrote 15 books capturing the camaraderie of the high country musterers and the call of the mountains. His first book, “Wayleggd,” was written during his World War II service. His last, “The World of Peter Newton, the best of his high country writing,” was released last year. He also wrote a volume

on Mesopotamia station, another on an epic trek on horseback across the Canterbury high country, “High Country Journey,” and four volumes on regional surveys: “Big Country of the North Island,” ’‘‘ln the Wake of the Axe,” “Sixty Thousand on the Hoof,” and “Big Country ■ of the South Island."

• Mr Newton farmed at Woodstock in the Waimakariri Gorge, at Whiterock near Loburn in North Canterbury, and managed Nokomai station in Southland. In “The World of Peter Newton ...” published last year he lamented the passing of mustering days he wrote about “With the advent of the Land-Rovers, bulldozers, helicopters, and planes, these old mustering days of which I have written are now virtually a thing of the past ...” His love of the life about which he wrote was obvious

to readers of his books. Those who knew him described him as a man with a passionate interest in the high country and a desire to explain to others his love for it

Dog-trialling was another of his interests and dogs feature in most of his books. He first competed in the sport in 1927 at Oxford and was still competing last year.

Of his writing Peter Newton said: “My education didn't equip me for writing ... I had no particular style in mind. I had something to say so I said it... The first book was the easiest. Every one has got harder since then.”

He was awarded the M.B.E. for his writing in 1980.

He lived for the last several years in retirement at Rangiora. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.