A TRIBUTE

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4652, 2 February 1935, Page 5

A TRIBUTE

MR. owen McGregor. (Aria Correspondent). The tragic death of Mr. Owen McGregor, of Aria, whilst bathing at Mo,kau, cast a gloom over the whole district. He was universally liked and respected, and unlike so many young men, was prepared to do his bit to help on the life of the district in its various manifestations. His personal work was that of developing a by no means “easy” farm, and as a result of his perseverance and sound common sense coupled with great industry, he was able to see much improvement. Then, again, for the past three years he had been a director of the Aria Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., where his careful, logical thinking had been of much assistance during the years of depression. In his work there, once convinced he was right, he would not rest contented until he had carried his point. His place on the board of directors will be hard to fill. As a footballer Owen only took to the game again quite recently since leaving school. Yet here, again, he played the game as generously as he did all other things, whole-heartedly and manfully. The sympathy of everyone goes out to his widow and his father, Mr. James McGregor, who only a few months ago lost his wife. His funeral was attended by a tremendous crowd, showing how Owen stood in the eyes of his fellow men. The wreaths sent covered the floor of a big lorry and were afterwards placed on the grave. The Rev. Mr. West, Presbyterian Minister, of Pio Pio, conducted the service in the Aria Hall and at the graveside. We have farewelled Owen in the flesh, but we can all gain by our knowledge of him and his life, for, above all, he was a man and a Christian.