OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 220, 17 August 1939, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR EDWARD LAW. The death occurred on August 10 at his residence, Douglas Street, Wliakatane, following a short illness, of Mr Edward Law. Air Law was born in March, 18G4, and was a son of the late Joseph Law, of Tua Marina, Marlborough, and Aunio Law (nee Cargill), who was one of tho first white children horn in Nelson. At the age of 19 years he started farming on his own account at M assaere Hill, Tua Marina, and two years later married Jane MoAlorrin. In 1893 lie left Marlborough with his wife and a young family’ of four and took up a bush farm at Otauru Hoad, Shannon, which he developed and successfully farmed for a number of years. Later ho acquired a farm embracing hill country at lhakara and hero ho continued the work of improving tho land, altogether spending a period of 25 years at Shannon. This latter property is now farmed by a

son, Air R. J. Law. Despite Hi® hardships and disadvantages in those early days, Air Raw found time to take his place in sport, local body work and district activities. He was at all times interested in military affairs and first joined the Atari borough Hussars and later, as lieutenant, was officer commanding the (Shannon troop of the Hoiowlienua Alounted Rilies. This troop had tho honour of sending five of its members to the South Airican War in the early contingents. He was keen qn game-shooting and a member of rifle clubs for 40 years at Shannon and AVhakatanc, and competed in the National Rifle Association meetings. He always believed that not sufficient interest was taken in tho rific clubs in New Zealand, as well-trained riile shots are valuable in any defence force. Air Law was a steward and official starter for the now defunct Shannon Racing Club. He was a member of the original committee dealing with tho flood control of the Alanawatu and Oroua Rivers; this committee was responsible for the bringing down of All" Hay’s report, of 1908. Through the continual flooding of these rivers, tho losses of stock had been very heavy and this

time marked the commencement of a general system of flood control. He was a member of the Alakerua Drainage Board when this board commenced its drainage operations.

A member of the Horowhenua County Council for several years, the Shannon (School Committee for 11 years and chairman for a time, and almost for a lifetime Mr Law was also a member of the Farmers’ Union, reaching the position of president, and a member of the Manawutu executive of the Farmers’ Union. He was the chairman of the original directors of the Shannon Co-operative Dairy Company and piloted this company through the iirst it years of its existence, and also served a term on the directorate of the Jtangitaiki Co-op-erative Dairy Company. For JO years lie was a breeder ot Milking Shorthorn cattle and was lirst president of the Milking Shorthorn Cattle Association j

of New Zealand and judged at the leading shows throughout N'cw Zealand. He was an cider and keen supporter of the Presbyterian Church at (Shannon and AV ha kata no, and had a long connection with Fremasonry, being ‘a foundation member of Lodge Mangahao at Shannon. He was a. Justice of the Peace, it is wife died in 1910. In 1919 Mr Law loft Shannon for tlie Whakatane district and, together with his two returned soldier sons,

took up virgin swamp land on the llangituiki and set about the task of breaking this in and continued to actively farm this property until his death. He was on the committee ami a trustee of the Itangitaiki A. and P. Association and president of the AYhakatane A. and P. Association, also a member of j the Whakatunc Harbour Board and Hospital Board. In, 1927 Air Law married Georgina Alalcolm, of Shannon, and of this marriage there are two young sons. Tan and Alalcolm. and a daughter, Eliza-

both. Also left to mourn their loss are the sons and daughters of his first marriage—William (To Puke), Ronald “Te Rohenga” (Shannon), Archie (Rotorua), Wilfred. (Whakatane), James (Ngakuru). Ella (Mrs F. T. Linsell, Onepu). and Margaret (Mrs W. AV. Oherer, Ngakuru). Three sons served in the Great War, one. (Henry) making the supreme sacrifice at Gal lipoli. There are 19 grandchildren

The funeral took place at AYliakatane last Saturday afternoon, and was attended by a large assembly from all parts of the district. Rev. Air AA’atson, Presbyterian minister, conducted a service at the house and at the AATiakafnne ceme.tery. the latter being followed by a. Masonic service. The palll>earers wero five sons (James, Wilfred Archie, Ronald and AV i 111 ain A and a brother, James Law, of Hamilton.