PIONEER SETTLER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21963, 6 March 1946, Page 6

PIONEER SETTLER

MR. WILLIAM BARRON

LIFE-TIME OF FARMING By the death of Mr. William Barron, which occurred on Saturday, the district lost one of the pioneers of backcountry settlement and a man of great personal integrity. Mr. Barron was 89 years of age. and until comparatively recent years had been active in the pursuit of farming.

He arrived in New Zealand in 1878 from Scotland, his birthplace, and was farming for a time in Waikaka. Southland, where he met and married his first wife! formerly a Miss Peterson. He left Southland with his family in 1892 and settled in the Gisborne district, farming in various parts of the district in partnership with his brother. Mr. George Barron, whose death occurred in 1910.

In 1900 he took up a large area of bush land at Mangatu, on leasehold, and retained his interest there until 1942, when his lease expired. His first wife died in 180 S, and left three sons and two daughters, Messrs. Hugh and Robert Barron, West Ho, Tolaga Bay, Mr. William Barron, Gisborne, and the Misse3 Miriam and Ena Barron. Gisborne. Mr. Barron re-married in 1910 to Miss McLeod. a member of a Gisborne family, and was again bereaved in 1938. Mrs. Barron leaving three sons and three daughters. Messrs. Donald. George and John Barron and Misses Jessie. Ruth and Olive Barron. Air. Donald Barron was killed in action in the battle of El Air mein, in the late war, being one of several members of the family who served in the New Zealand Forces. Strong: Religious Principles Mr. William Barron was much respected for his energy and foresight in pastoral matters, and was a good judge of stock from his earliest connection with the farming industry. In his later years he gradually reduced his active participation in land management, and gave more and more time to the practice of the strong religious principles which had always animated him. He suffered a fall a year ago. and this was the first serious setback in health he had suffered, the consequences making themselves felt up to the time of his death. Those who were in close touch with Mr. Barron pay tribute to the generosity which he manifested in respect of many causes. His funeral, held yesterday afternoon, was largely attended by relatives and friends and constituted a warm tribute to his memory. In addition to members of the family living in this district, Mr. Barron had a brother and two sisters living in Scotland and another brother. Mr. John Barron, a resident of Dunedin.