WAOTU

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 202, 25 November 1920, Page 4

WAOTU

OBITUARY. The death of a Maori War veteran, in the person of Mr. Edwin Nunn, aged 80 years, occurred at Mr. Walter G. Barnett’s residence, Waotu, recently. The late Mr. Nunn came to New Zealand about fit) years ago, as a young man of about 20 years of age, being then in the Imperial Forces, which he had joined in Australia. He fought throughout the Waikato War, being in the engagements at Rangiriri, Mercer, Pirongia and Orakau, and he held the New Zealand Maori War medal. After the war, for many years he followed his trade as a carpenter, learned at the Woolwich Arsenal, where his father was the chief saddler.

j However, he ultimately became too old to actively follow this occupation, and ho then made his home with Mr. Barnett at Waotu, residing there for the past twenty years. In all he had been about 25 years in the ‘Waotu district, where he was well known and highly respected. The interment was a very impressive one. A large number of people, both Europeans and natives were present, and the wreaths were very numerous. The pall-bear-ers were returned soldiers, and the coffin was draped in the Union Jack by the local children, who marched in procession up to the cofiin, and reverently laid the flag over it. The Rev. W. Parker, of Putaruru, was the officiating minister. The remains were buried next to those of Dr. William 11. Carter, another Maori War veteran. In this cemetery also lie buried several natives who fought as allies of the British in that war. 'The late Mr. . Nunn was a member of the Auckland branch of the Empire Veterans’ Association. and he was present at Hie un- , veiling of the Maori War Memorial l at Orakau, some years ago. He had no relatives in New Zealand. The Waotu timber mill is now fully staffed, and the output has reached the vicinity of 10,000 or 11,000 feet of sawn timber per day. It is understood that Mr. W. Pass, manager of the mill, will be leaving shortly on a month’s trip to Australia. The preliminary survey for the To Awamutu-Putaruru railway, which is at present being carried out by the engineer, Mr. J. I). Holmes, is well advanced, the work having been carried across the Waikato River some time ago. It has now reached a point in the vicinity of the Rocky Cutting, in which locality it is probable that the site for the station for Waotu will be chosen. > The largest number of cans of cream brought into Putaruru by the Waotu Road cream-carrier last season was eight, but this season the number is now 22. This is a typical instance of the progress being made in the Putaruru district.