PLAINS PIONEER

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32528, 24 January 1945, Page 5

PLAINS PIONEER

MR ROBERT BINNIE PAUL

35 YEARS AT NGATEA

HIGHLY RESPECTED SETTLER

A highly-respected pioneer farmer of the Hauraki Plains, Mr Robert Binnie Paul, of Ngatea, aged 70 years, passed away at his residence recently.

Born at Milton, Otago, the late Mr Paul was educated at the Milton District High School and spent all of his early life in that district. When he left school be became an agricultural farmer at Milton until 1908, settling at Ngatea in 1910, 'being one of_ the first to take up land on the Hauraki Plains. He retired in 191'8 through ill-health and for a period lived at Oamaru and then at Palmerston North until 1926 when he again settled at Ngatea where he has resided ever since. Up until 12 years ago he farmed his own property but' during the latter years he has been chiefly confined 1 to his bed. Mr Paul took a very keen interest in his chosen occupation and was the first chairman of the Ngatea branch of.the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. During the period he resided in P'almerston North the late Mr Paul took a keen interest in bowling and was a member of the Takaroa 'Bowling 'Club in that city from 1920' to 1926.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr Paul was married in 1904 to Miss Harriet Ann Boyden of Pahiatua. He is survived by his wife and only daughter, Miss Amelia E. J. Paul, of Ngatea. Two brothers, Mr J. A. Paul, of Milton, and Mr A. G. Paul of Mangere, survive the late Mr Paul while two other brothers, the late Mr W. Paul of Duntroon, Oamaru, and the late Mr Adam Paul of Otorohanga predeceased him. Two sisters, the Misses Janet and Eliza Paul of Dunedin, also survive the late Mr Paul •while two other sisters, the late Misses Susan and Jean Paul of Milton, predeceased him.

Mr Paul was buried at the Totara Cemetery, Thames, following a service at St. James’ Church, Thames. The Rev. George Budd of Auckland, a retired minister who has known the Paul family for over 40 years in the South Island, conducted the service both at the church and at the graveside. Mr A. Smith of Ngatea was the organist at the service and played “O Rest In The Lord,” and a favourite hymn of the deceased, “Abide With Me.”