THE LATE MR STEVENS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 July 1925, Page 5

THE LATE MR STEVENS.

AN" APPRECIATION. (Contributed.) With the passing of Mr. (Fred. Stevens through an unfortunate accident, Hawera has lost one of its most useful and 1 popular citizens. Non© will fail to remember >the valuable ■services rendered by him for our town. Born at Staines, Middlesex, of Scottish parents, with whom he afterwards resided at Eirkcaldie, Fifeshire, the late Air. Stevens for many years was employed with Messrs. Barry, Oistler and Shepherd, linoleum) manutaoturecs, subsequently representing his lira* at various cities in Belgium and Erartc-e lor a number of years. Possessing a natural gift for orgaisation work, he was always in demand for the promotion of all classes of sports and tournaments in connection with the Royall Garrison Artillery, the regiment to which he was attached.

For health reasons he came to New Zealand in .1908, coming straight to Hawera, where, with his genial and generous disposition, lie soon 5 made many friends. Whilst in the employ of Messrs. Smith and Easton he conceived the idea of improving the usefulness anti attractive ness of our park, and very soon organised a. great fete for the raising of funds, the results of which the people of Hawera are still enjoying in their beautiful asset, King Edward Park. . Appreciation of his effort's in this direction was marked by his election as a member of the Hawera Borough. Council in 1913, when he was made chairman of the parks and reserves committee, and" by Lis re-election in 1915, which office he held, until 1917, when lie was appointed manager for the Farmers’ Co-operative Association at Manaia, where he also became very popular and actively associated himself with the newly-formed Second Division League, thus making good use of his military training. Resigning his positon at Manaia, he returned to Hawera and in 1921 was again elected to a seat on the Borough Council, w'hifeh he held until 1923, thus completing six years’ valuable service to the ratepayers as a councillor. During his residence here, he was always willing and ready to assist in every branch of sport, being lion, secretary and (subsequently president of the Hawera Association Football Club, a. member of the executive of the Sports, and Pastimes Club, and hon. secretary to the Dixon Banner Competitions for primary schools. Besides, he was lion, secretary to the Liberal Legaue, and at the time of his death held official positions with the Riginont Racing Club .and the Hawera l Trotting Club, was hon. secretary to the Hawera Amateur Boxing Association, and was employed by Mr. J. R. Corrigan. ALP., as organiser for the forthcoming election campaign. He was a man of sterling character •Hid independent nature .and was noted for his generosity, sincerity and loyalty.