PAEROA PIONEER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3176, 30 September 1942, Page 4

PAEROA PIONEER

MR WILLIAM McWATTERS EARLY DAYS OF THE TOWN DEATH OCCURS IN AUCKLAND The death occurred suddenly in Auckland on Tuesday of a very early resident of the Ohinemuri Goldfields, Mr William John Me Watte' a former businessman of Paeroa. (Born in Thames the late Mr McWatters spent his youth in that town, attending- school there. When still a young man he moved to Paeroa and commenced business in Princess street as a baker. Princess street was then the main street of Paeroa. Later Mi’ Me Watters opened 'branches in Te Aroha, Waihi, Karangahake and Waitekauri. As Normanby road became the main street of Paeroa, Mr McWatters built the shop recently occupied by Mr J. Turnbull, operating- a general store and bakery business from that stand.

For a period he worked in Paeroa as an accountant and then moved to Taumarunui, where he opened a produce store, retiring- to live in. Auckland frdm that town. While in Paeroa the late Mr McWatters took a very keen interest in the progress of the town and was associated with many local institutions. For a period he was secretary of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce. A very keen bowler, the late Mr McWatters spent many hours on the

rinks, especially in, recent years. He was president of the Paeroa Bowling Club for several years. Mr McWatters was married in Thames to Miss Margaret McKinna of that town, there' being five children of the union. He was predeceased by his wife, a son, William, and a daughter, Mrs D. Nisbet. He is survived by' one son, Corporal K. McWatters, and two daughters, Mrs G. Hillam, of Auckland, and Mrs D. Stanton, of Taumarunui. He is also survived by two brothers, Messrs A. (Australia), and D. (Paeroa) McWatters, and three sisters, Mesdames C. Lamb (Epsom), B. Jenkinson (Taumarunui)' and M. Patterson (Auckland). ■