Mr. Denald McMillan

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1942, Page 2

Mr. Denald McMillan

One of the last Gaelic-speaking residents of Waipu. Mr Donald Munro McMillan, died at Whangarei yesterday, aged 79 years. Born shortly after the arrival of his parents. Mr and Mrs Angus McMillan, from Nova Scotia, lie conversed entirely in the Gaelic language when at home until he was 15 years of age. After some experience in Northland kauri bushes he acquired a property at Puma, being among the first to open up land in that district. About 30 years ago he returned to Waipu. where both he and his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Margaret Jane Fraser, also a daughter of original Nova Scotian pioneers, were most highly respected.

A lover of music, Mr McMillan was much in demand as a violinist at dances in the early days. He was a life-long worker for the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. McMillan predeceased him and he is survived by a family of six daughters. They are Mosdames Dr. Rule (Auckland), J. Ing-am (Mauugaturoto). A. Russell »Waipu), R. Finlayson (Paranui), A. McGregor (Waipu), and K. Sutherland (Dargaville). A service will be held at the Waipu Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. tomorrow and the interment will be at the Waipu Cemetery.

Mrs. W. Turner

The sudden collapse and death at Kaitaia on Sunday of Mrs Ethel V. E. Turner came as a shock to her family and her many friends. Born some 54 years ago in Brockenhurst, England, Mrs Turner came to New Zealand with her husband Mr W. Turner after the last war as a war bride, and for the past 19 years had resided at Kaitaia. She took an active interest in the affairs of the town and for many years i.vas secretary of the Koa Rebel-call Lodge and of the Kaitaia branch of the Women's Institute, filling both these positions with distinction.

She was also a member of the W.W.S.A. and although indifferent health for the past nine or ten months has limited her activities, she had always willingly given what help she could.

She leaves her husband, a son, Lyal, and a daughter. Fay. to mourn their loss.

Mr. E. S. Smith

I P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Tiie death has occurred of Ernest Stephen Smith, Deputy-Commissioner of Taxes, aged 41. From 1918 to 1923 he was a law clerk with an Auckland legal firm of which Sir James Parr was then senior partner. He was later at Hamilton and in 1925 was appointed to the Public Trust. He became Assistant-Solicitor in 1931 and a Crown Solicitor in the same year. He was appointed Deputy-Commissioner of Taxes in 1937.

Commenting on the death of Mr Smith, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) said he was one of the most outstanding men in the Public Service and one whose loss was a severe blow. Mr Smith brought to his department not only extraordinary energy, but a wide business knowledge and legal training. In a very short time after gaining an insight into the working, ci the Land and Income Department he was able to apply his legal knowledge to improving in many ways the administration of taxation, with great benefit to the State.