OBITUARY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 234, 15 September 1934, Page 6

OBITUARY

Mr. W. A. MacFarlane

The death of Mr W. A. MacFarlane, which took place in Hastings, on Thursday evening, came us a great shock to Ins many friends, for, although it was known for some time past that ins health was causing great anxiety, it was only within the past few days that serious developments set, in.

A son of the lute Rev. John ami Mrs MacFarlane, of Tiree, Scotland, the deceased came out to New Zealand, when quite a young man, to study farming under Ins cousin, the late An Archie McLean, of Greenhill, afterwards holding a very responsible position on the Maraekakaho Estate, owned by the late Sir Douglas McLean.

Mr MacFarlane afterwards acquired part of this station and for nearly 30 years devoted his time to his beautiful property “ Waiterenui,” building up a valuable herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle which has carried the name of the breeder to many parts of New Zealand and Australia.

Mr MacFarlane was an original member of the New Zealand Aberdeen Angus Cattle Breeders’ Association and remained a member from 1917 till 1932, the last three years of which be held the office of president, and was an enthusiastic and successful breeder ol black cattle. In addition to the care and knowledge of breedii g bestowed on his own cattle, Mr MacFarlane imported fresh blood from Scotland, thereby benefiting the cattle of the Do minion, as well as his own. Mr MacFarlane was a man of many outside interests, being a prominent member of the old Maraekakaho Rifle Club and a crack shot. He was a very active member of the Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club, being one of the foundation members in 1919. He acted on the committee until 1929, when he was appointed president, which office he held continuously until his death. He was also a member of the Hawke’? Bay A. and P, Society and ex-vice-president of the Napier Park Racing Club, and was chairman of the local school committee for many years. The deceased took a keen interest in the Central Hawke’s Bay Sheep' Dog Trial Club and was secretary and treasurer from 1895 to 1934, being one of the first founders of the first Co-opera-tive Championship trials run from 1904 till 1906. Later, he was one of the active participants in forming the North Island Sheep Dog Trial Association in 1910, of which he was a member of the executive for a groat number of years, resigning in 1934 owing to illhealth.

In the early days of the trials Mr MacFarlane was a most successful com petitor and great interest always centred on his runs, as he had a very fine and decided stylo in working a sheep dog. Ho was the winner of several championships, and since his retirement has given years of faithful service in judging trials, and was one of the most popular and conscientious judges of the day, often judging on the show bench. Mr MacFarlane was beloved by all, a man of outstanding personality and of the highest principles, whose aim in life was to conscientiously follow the path of duty. He was a genial and hospitable host and a staunch, true friend and was held in high esteem by a very large circle of friends, Maori and pakeha, among whom he will be sadly missed. In many parts of this district and in other districts, there are numbers in various stations of life who nave sought his valuable assistance, which was always ungrudgingly given, even at sacrifice to himself. The sympathy of a very wide, circle of friends is extended to his widow and son, and to his brothers, Messrs John and James MacFarlane. Mr. J, Smth, of Nelson By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, September 14. The death occurred to-day after a serious illness of Air John Smith, of Nelson, headmaster of the Waihopia school, aged 44 Before the war he was on the staff of Nelson College and on the outbreak of war he enlisted and was with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles on landing at Gallipoli. Returning to the teaching profession, lie became assistant (master of Gore school in 1917, a position which he held until appointed principal of the Lumsden school in

January, 1925. Five years later he was transferred to the Winton school and in 1930 became headmaster at Waihopai, a position which he occupied until his death.

A keen footballer in his younger days Mr Smith played for Otago Varsity and on one occasion represented Otago province. Of late years he had been a prominent member of the Southland Acclimatisation Society and was keenly interested in fishing and duck shooting. Ho was also a Past Master of Taraugatura Lodge and Lodge .St. John and a member of the Southern Club. Mrs. C. P. Browne The deutli occurred at Gisborne of Mrs llebeccn Browne, relict of the lute Mr C. P. Browne at the age of Si) years. The deceased lady had been ailing for some years, and latterly her illness became progressively more marked, her death not being unexpected. There were no children of the marriage and the surviving relatives ot the late Mrs Browne comprise nieces and nephews, one of whom is Mr C. O. Morse, Napier.