DEATH OF HAWKE’S BAY PIONEER

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 102, 24 January 1940, Page 5

DEATH OF HAWKE’S BAY PIONEER

Mr. M. Begley, Hastings WRECKED IN SHIP CITY OF AUCKLAND Dominion Special Service HASTINGS, January 23. A pioneer who knew Hawke's Bay when Hastings consisted of a single settler's home, died yesterday at the age of 83. He was Mr. Michael Begley, whose pride it was to have planted every tree in the now magnificent poplar avenue at Toinoana. That was in 1897, following the Hoods of that year, which were responsible for the loss of not a few lives. To this disaster the province owes a good proportion of its trees, which were planted to stop sand drifts when the water receded. Mr. Begley was born in Garry William. County Kerry. Ireland, in 1857. and came to New Zealand in 1874. Memories, which he retained practically to the last, of his experiences from the time he left home are of particular interest because they relate much of the story of Hawke's Bay's development. With other immigrants, he came out in the ill-fated City of Auckland. After a voyage lasting more than three mouths he had his first sight of New Zealand under inauspicious circumstances. Driven off its course by a heavy storm, the vessel went ashore near Otaki, where the hulk is still to be seen. The passengers were assisted through the surf by Maoris living nearby, and after spending a night on the beach they had their first taste of pioneering when they set out for Wellington on foot and in bullock wagons. Most of the experiences Mr. Begley could recall illustrate by contrast with the present-day conditions the swiftness of the Dominion’s development in-the past few decades. One phase worthy of mention is the difference between race meetings of 1870 and the well-conducted events of the present. Even more popular than the actual races at that time was the inevitable melee between European and Native followers of the spurt. Mr. Begley attended a meeting at East Clive in 1876 to which the military were called from Napier to restore order. Another popular diversion in those days was the Maori meetings, at which the stakes were usually bags of wheat or eels.

Mr. Begley is survived by three sons, Messrs. J. J'. Begley (Putorino), F. J. Begley (Waipukurau), and D. G. Begley (Hastings), and two daughters, Mrs. D. Evans (Hastings), and Miss G. E. Begley (Wellington). There are 16 grandchildren.