PIONEER PASSES

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1936, Page 6

PIONEER PASSES

LATE MR E. 0. WEAVER

\ INTERESTING HISTORY RECALLED EARLY DAYS OF WHANGAKEI. A man who watched Whangarei grow from a hamlet to the thriving centre of North Auckland, and by his energy and foresight did a great deal to bring about this healthy expansion, was removed by the death, which occurred yesterday afternoon, of Mr Edmond Ormond Weaver, aged 81. For 56 years a resident of Whangarei, Mr Weaver was one of the most familiar and most respected figures in the town and in the North generally.

He was the eldest son of Mr John Weaver, who was a horticulture specialist in the rural village of Malmsbury, Wiltshire. When “E. 0.,” as he preferred to be known, was a lad in his late teens, the family of father, mother, four sons and three girls sailed to New Zealand in the “Zealandia,” commanded by Captain Sellars. The ship arrived at Auckland in October, 1874, and Mr E. O. Weaver took up employment in Hay’s Nurseries,, Arrival In Whangarei.

He had risen to the position of manager, when, in 1879, he followed his brother Horace to Whangarei.' In partnership with Mr T. Johnson, a brother-in-law, he purchased from Mr Francis Hunt, the donor of the Presbyterian Church site, the spacious property of “Valley Farm," adding gto it a portion of the Rust Estate. Within a few years Mr Weaver acquired the interest held by the other partner. He spent the whole of his remaining days on this picturesquely situated property, within a few hundred yards of the heart of Whangarei, and yet sufficiently remote within its groves of trees and with the rippling waters of the Waiarohia Stream forming a boundary, to give -that atmosphere of country peace which the grand pioneer loved so well.

A thoroughly practical farmer and horticulturist, Mr Weaver made an outstanding success of his Whangarei operations, and in the early days, when it was difficult to establish connections —apart altogether from erratic transport—built up a trade for his produce which extended throughout the Auckland province and even further afield. The lusciousness of his grapes was renowned, and he also cultivated with success citrus fruits, peaches and tomatoes. Up to the last he was able to gives without a moment’s hesitation, the correct botanical name for any plant, tree or shrub. A. and P. Secretary. The interest which Mr Weaver took in agricultural husbandry was extended with extremely beneficial results to the Whangarei A. and P. Society. First established in the early sixties, the society was still in its infancy when Mr Weaver took over the secretaryship. An immediate improvement in the quality and scope of the exhibitions resulted, it being quite a reproach .. unless every household was represented among* the stalls and pens. During his term of office the society negotiated the purchase of Kensington Park, and the erection of a grandstand. When district court competitions were arranged at Auckland shows, Mr Weaver for several years arranged the Whangarei displays, and in 1914, the year of the great Auckland exhibition, he was selected as manager of the North Auckland Court, with which he was successful in winning the championship. Such great pains were taken in making the court fully typical, that a miniature of Whangarei Falls was included as one of the features. Upon his retirement from active office in the Whangarei A. and P. Society, Mr Weaver was made the recipient of a gold watch, as a memento of appreciation from his fellow members.

The beautiful surroundings of his own home were, emblematic of his love of finer things, and he carried this further in many acts designed to add to the scenic charms of Whangarei. One of these was to plant the plane trees in the Triangle, then an unfenced and neglected reserve. It was under the shadow of these frees that Whangarei men were farewelled as they left for the Great War. Worked By Moonlight. It is interesting to note that the first load of 'gravel placed on Cameron Street was shovelled by the late Mr Weaver, assisted by the late Mr Sam Conaghan, from the stream which runs through Valley Farm. The Weaver Bros, carried out much road contract work in those days, when 40hour weeks were distinctly things of the future. They carted gravel by day, and taking advantage of the light of the moon, spread it at night. Sporting Beginnings.

The late Mr Weaver was closely associated with the birth of sport in Whangarei. The Tennis Club, which recently celebrated its jubilee, had its first courts on Valley Farm, and shortly afterwards, Mr Weaver, himself a keen follower of kitty, was largely instrumental in laying down a bowling green, adjoining the then tennis courts, and where Rugby Park is today. The property was also used as the first golf links, before the game was removed to Maunu, and eventually to Mt. Denby. To all these sports Mr Weaver gave every possible encouragement and assistance. For many years Mr Weaver served with the Whangarei Volunteers, and was also a member of the Marsden Licensing Bench and of the ' High School Board of Governors. Before ] coming to Whangarei he was secretary I

of the Parnell Lodge, Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. F. The Family. His'wife was Christina Ann, second daughter of the late Mr Malcolm McInnes, one of the founders of Kauri. Her brother, Mr Murdoch Mclnnes, is the present chairman of the Kamo Town Board. Mrs Weaver'predeceased her husband 12 years ago. There remain a family of two sons—lnnes and Allen, both resident at Valley Farm—and three daughters—Mesdames L. Edgar (Hamilton), and W. Griffiths (Wolfe Street, Whangarei), and Miss Doris Weaver, also of Whangarei. Of the original Weaver family which came to New Zealand, Mr Horace Weaver, of Nixon Street, is the only survivor.