OBITUARY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 220, 4 September 1929, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR. ARCH. McLEAN Mr. Arch McLean, of Greenhill, whose death was announced yesterday, was born on the Isle of Tiree, Argyllshire, Scotland, in 1844, arriving in New Zealand in 1868 and settling at Maraekakaho with his brother, Donald. In 1876, Sir Donald McLean, father of the late Sir Douglas McLean, appointed him manager of the Maraekakaho Station, a position which he held for thirty years, and, on his retirement, he took over the Greenhill property, originally a part of th® Maraekakaho estate. During his control of the vast Maraekakaho Estate, consisting of 60,000 acres, he did an immense amount of pioneering work, in reclaiming swamps, as well as in breaking in the scrub and fern country and, ns a result of his endeavours and oversight, Maraekakaho became known through the Dominion, and beyond it, as an ideal station. The late Mr. Arch McLean was an enthusiastic breeder of stock, and dur ing his management at Maraekakaho, he founded the studs in Merinos, Lincolns and English Leioesters, as well as in Clydesdales, Shorthorns, and Welsh ponies, stud stock which won many prizes and championships at agricultural and pastoral shows up and down the Dominion. A public spirited man, he took a keen interest in everything that affected the district. After the great flood of 1897. he recognised the danger to the Hastings flats, if the river came over the banks at Roy's Hill, so he had willows planted from Roy’s Hill to Maraekakaho for the protection of the district. He also started the water races that supply the Ngatarawa flats, which have proved a great boon to the settlers dry season. *lVhen he retired to the Greenhill property he established there a herd of shorthorn cattle, now recognised as one of the leading herds in New Zealand. Hie late Mr. McLean was one of the early members of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and •Pastoral Society, and was a past

president of the society, at the shows of which he was a prominint exhibitor. He was also one of the original members of the H.B. Farmers’ Cooperative Association, being for many years chairman of directors and he was one of the founders, of lona College, being chairman of the council for some years. He was for several years chairman of the Maraekakaho Road Board, on which he gave excellent service.

The late Mr. McLean, a keen farmer. was also a sportsman, taking a great interest in coursing. Full of energy and the joy of life, he was very human and loved his kind, whilst his public spirit impelled him te take an active part in affairs that concerned the prosperity of the district. Kindly, approachable hospitable, and gracious, he was a Scottish gentleman of a splendid type, who commanded, not only the esteem, but the sincere affection of his friends and acquaintances and the respect of everyone. Gifted with energy and an indomitable spirit of determination and foresight he was an ideal pioneer and, as a pioneer, he has done great service to the country, in the advancement of which his endeavours represent a considerable factor. His wife predeceased him by fourteen years, and he leaves three stepsons, ns well as many relatives in New Zealand and Scotland. With them the whole community mourn the passing of a sturdy pioneer and a fine gentleman.

MR. W. |F. STONESTREET

Mr. William Frederick Stonestreet di<l at Hastings yesterday at the age of 69 years. The deceased, who was employed at the Tomoana Freezing works for many years, was well-known and extermely popular amongst his fellow workers and a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. General sympathy is expressed with the widow and relatives in their bereavement. The funeral will leave the residence, Lascelles street, Hastings, for the Hastings cemetery, to-morrow (Thursday) at 4 p.m.

MR THOMAS COUGHLAN.

The death is announced of Mr Thomas Coughlan, which pl ac * at his residence, Willow Park road, Hastings, yesterday, at the age of 59 years. The who had been ill for a log time, was born in London, and came out to New Zealand in , 1907, settling in Hastings, where he was in business as a carrier until nine years ago, when ho took up storekeeping. Ho was well known in Has--lings and district, where ho was highly esteemed by all who came in contact with him, and a wide circle -of friends and acquaintances extend their sympathy to the widow, and daughter, Mrs E. Curtis. The funeral will leave the Hastings Catholic Church for the Hastings Cemetery at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday).