OBITUARY

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4807, 7 July 1939, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR. J. H. RANDALL. On Thursday of last week the death occurred of one of the oldest and most respected pioneer settlers of the Kawhia district, in the person of Mr. J. H. Randall, who fell a victim to a severe attack of pneumonia, in the local Cottage Hospital. The fact that over 70 cars, besides larger motor vehicles, representing all parts of the county, and numbers of Waipa and Waikato friends, attended his funeral indicated the widespread esteem in which he was held, while All Saints' Church was crowded to capacity with Kawhia mourners. Mr. Randall spent his young life in the upper Wanganui, being employed principally on the Karioi sheep station, but moved to the Kawhia district about 40 years ago. He was included in one of the first survey parties engaged in cutting up this portion of the King Country, which had just been acquired by the Crown from the native owners. Subsequently he started a butchery business in Pirongia in partnership with Mr. Shaw, but later removed to Te Rau-a-Moa, where he took up an area of farm land, and with others was instrumental in founding the Te Rau-a-Moa butter factory. He was a man of exceptional mental and physical energy, always taking a leading part in social and local activities, and when it became obvious that the butter industry demanded a wider sphere he was a strong advocate of the removal of the factory to Oparau, where he became one of its original directors. From that period he and his family have resided alternately at Oparau and Te Rau-a-Moa. In addition to ordinary farming pursuits, including a large milk supply, he ran a butchery business in Kawhia and Oparau, as well as other business ventures. For many years he represented the Te Rau-a-Moa riding of the Kawhia County Council, and could always be relied upon to take his full share and add generous support to social and sporting organisations, while any movement calculated to further the district interests always received his ready assistance. The news of his death at the advanced age of 69 years caused general and genuine regret, and expressions of sympathy poured in from all quarters to his family. He leaves a wife (nee Miss Gibson), four daughters, Mesdames R. Ormsby, G. Warner, T. Knight and Miss Randall, and two sons, Messrs. A. H. J. and J. Randall, all of whom are resident in the neighbourhood. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. E. A. Addis (vicar) in All Saints' Church, and at the graveside, where a mass of beautiful floral emblems bore further evidence of his many friends.