OBITUARY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 18 November 1932, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR, A. McKEOIWN, PIHAMA

PIONEER SOLDIER AND SETTLER

A pioneer settler of Pihama, Mr Arthur McKemvn, passed away at Kaponga- yesterday in It i s 78tli year after x short illness. He had, however, been failing for some time, and a heart attack was the cause of his death. A warm hearted, impulsive Irishman, Mr MeKeown was held in high regard by many friends, who will learn of' his death with regret..

Born at Fermanagh, Ireland, Mr MeKeown came to New Zealand ahout 30 years ago and after some few years joined the military forces. He was attached to the New Zealand Permanent Artillery and Torpedo Corps and the Armed Constabulary, retiring from the Torpedo Corps with the ranking of petty officer. With the Armed Constabulary—familiarly called the A.O.’s and one of the best known bodies doing duty in South Taranaki during the ’sixties and ’seventies- —Mr MoKeown was- stationed for some rears in Opunake, being attached to No. 3 Company under Major Goring. He was there when the murder of Mi-ss Dobie took place and was promoted to sergeant for his work in connection with the arrest of a Maori murderer, Tui. As sergeant in the A.C.’s- he was at Parihaka in the p amous siege and 1 the capture of Te Whiti and Tohu. Inter he resigned ind purchased the farm iu-st off the °atiki P.-Mid, where he lived until his leath. He took it np in hush and carved ' out a home from the rough forest. Mr MeKeown took an interest, in •wihlie affairs and was chairman of the Waimate Road "Board for several "cars. He was also on the Opunake Harbour Board. He was keenly interested in politics, and was one o c the staunchest Liberals of the old -egime and a lifelong supporter of Mr R. .T. Seddon. He took a very active oaid, in the Liberal campaigns- on the coast.

Mr MeKeown never married and 'ms no relatives in New Zealand. A sis+«r lives in Ireland.

Tlic funeral will Lave the Catholic 'Murrell. Onma'-o. for th° Pihama '"’omefory at I.‘lf) p.m. on Saturday.