WILL BE MISSED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4102, 18 February 1949, Page 10

WILL BE MISSED

GOOD SERVICE GIVEN WORK IN THAMES VALLEY MR AND MRS A. H. BLACKMORE Service to the community in many ways and for many years throughout the Thames Valley has been given by Mr and Mrs A. H. Blackmore, who left Waihi recently to join their youngest son, Mr Ivan Blackmore, and their son-in-law, Mr Owen Sharman, in partnership on a farm at Wellsford. Both Mr and Mrs Blackmore were well-known for their work in farming organisations, Mr Blackmore being associated with the Federated Farmers in the days when that organisation was known as the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and Mrs Blackmore taking an active part in the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers. Mr Blackmore, on returning from the 1914-18 war with his bride from London, settled on an unimproved farm in 1919 and pioneered on the Waihi Plains, and~their faith in the Plains has been fully justified by the farm which their eldest son, Mr Albert Blackmore, has taken over from his parents. As is usual in a new district, someone has to lead in its communal progress; and Mr and |Mrs Blackmore were not behind in Ithis respect and were always ready to give a helping hand, often taking the initiative in some projects.

In any matter which affected the well-being of the country man and woman they were particularly active, each holding Dominion office in the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and the Women’s Division respectively, as well as taking a leading part in the Waihi branches. Mr and Mrs Blackmore did not forget that they owed something to the town of Waihi, and having a family of five to educate, they became interested in education and established a record for Waihi in service bo the schools, giving an aggregate of 22 years on school committees. At one time one was chairman of the South School Committee and the other chairman of the Waihi High School Committee.

Probably it is not known to many that when the Orokawa block north of the Waihi beach was up for sale by open tender they realised the value of it to the public and persuaded the chief inspector of scenic reserves, the late Mr Galvin, to visit and inspect the area; and so delighted was he with its beauty that he approached the Government, which purchased it and made it a domain. During the war Mr Blackmore was appointed a member of the No. 2 Armed Forces Appeal Board, and Mrs Blackmore was appointed in charge of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary for the Thames Valley district, and at the end of hostilities both served on the Waihi Rehabilitation Committee and in this capacity they have become very well known to returned men and women of the recent war. About two years ago, when Mr Albert Blackmore, jnr., took over the farm, Mr and Mrs Blackmore bought a home in Waihi, and at the last local body elections Mr Blackmore was elected to the Waihi Borough Council and Mrs Blackmore to the Thames Hospital Board. In recognition of their services Mrs Blackmore has been made a life member of the Thames Valley provincial executive of the Women’s Division of the Federated Farmers and also of the Waihi Plains branch, and Mr Blackmore has been made a life member of the Waihi branch of the Returned Services Association, which he has served as president. In 1945 Mrs Blackmore was appointed a Justice of the Peace, being the first woman in the Thames district to have the appointment. Roland, their second son, is married and lives in Blenheim, and Miss Claire Blackmore, their younger daughter, is a nurse in the Auckland hospital. Waihi and Thames Valley residents will extend to Mr and Mrs Blackmore and their family their best wishes for a happy and successful future.