OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR HUGH McINTYRE. LOSS TO COMMUNITY. Mr Hugh Mclntyre, M-A. LL.B-, of the linn ot Mclntyre, Taylor and Seddon, barristers and solicitors, of Feilding, and one of the best-known and most highly esteemed figures in the professional life of Feilding for many years, passed away on Sunday alter a brief illness. Highly respected in every walk of life, a gentleman possessing a wide general knowledge and an inexhaustible store of general information resulting from intensive reading and study, the late Mr Mclntyre, who was in his 71st year, goes to his long rest mourned by a host of friends who enjoyed his rare and ready wit as well as liis cheerful and kindly companionship. Life’s path to him was in no sense narrowed down to the personal objective. Conservative in political thought, he was democratic in a humanitarian way and his understanding of human frailties provided him with a broad philosophical outlook. Numbered among the few who have appreciated the intense interest to be awakened by a study of the Maori and the past, the late Mr Mclntyre spent many of his leis'uro hours in dipping into Native history and collecting printed works compiled by early visitors to these shores. His knowledge of that past now so heavily veiled in the mists of time was considerable, as it was also of the native races of Australia. The black tribes of this island continent of the Pacific formed one of his keenest studies and his ethnological interests embraced the natives ot Polynesia. The late Mr Mclntyre was a sincere and practical educationalist. He commenced life’s journey as a teacher, being head teacher at the Turakina Valley School wlien 18 3 r ears of age, and holding appointments in Wanganui, Palmerston North, Kimbolton and many other places before taking up the study of law. He commenced practice in Feilding on his own account and was later joined by Mr Sid Fitzhcrbert. This partnership was later dissolved and Professor B. E. Murphy (now of Wellington) joined Mr Mclntyre. Some years later Mr Mclntyre took Mr Charles Taylor, of Wanganui, and formerly of Palmerston North, into the business, and the legal business became known as Mclntyre, Murphy and Taylor. In 1931 Mr McIntyre was appointed chairman of the Mortgagors’ Relief Commission and following this valuable service to the State, gradually retired from active legal work. Ho retired from the firm five years ago. He was for many years the Feilding representative on the Wanganui Education Board and was one of the original members of the Board of Managers of the Feilding Agricultural High School, an institution he served for many years. He retired from these public services some few years ago. The late Mr Mclntyre was also a past president of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce and 'his valued services on this organisation were greatly appreciated as they were in the cases of his educational contacts. He was a member of the Masonic Craft and in church matters a faithful adherent and keen worker.

Throughout the career of the Reform Party the late Mr Mclntyre was a koen supporter and member and some years ago considered entering politics under the party’s banner. He, however, stood aside but maintained his support for the party. The late Mr Mclntyre, whose death will be deeply regretted, leaves two sons and one daughter to mourn his passing, as well as a brother, Mr J. S. Mclntyre, of Denbigh Street, Feilding. His wife predeceased him many years ago. Mr A. T. Mclntyre, of Gisborne, is a brother, and Sirs H. E. Burgess, of Matawai, Poverty Baj T , and Miss C. Mclntyre, of Denbigh Street, Feilding, are sisters. The funeral took place in Feilding this afternoon.