Mr. D. R. Sinclair, Early Kauri Settler

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1943, Page 5

Mr. D. R. Sinclair, Early Kauri Settler

A man of the most charitable and kindly disposition, Mr. Donald Roderick Sinclair, died at Whangarei recently at the age of 69. He was born at Kauri, and was one of true pioneer stock. His father, Mr. Peter Sinclair*, came from Agyllshire in the fifties and took up the estate of Glenorchy at Kauri, which, at the time, was in a rough state and needed great development. His mother was formerly Miss Catherine McDonald,, and was an original Nova Scotian settler, coming to New Zealand in the Gertrude in 1856. As a young man Mr. Sinclair went to the goldfields at Koolgardie, Australia, and was in that country for 16 years. He then returned to New Zealand. He took over part of his father’s estate and farmed successfully for many years. He converted the property into a highly productive farm. He enlisted early in the first Great War and served for several years overseas.

He was a charitable giver. He was held in high respect by residents in the district, while he was well known in many parts of the North Island. Mi’. Sinclair’s brother, Mr. W. P. Sinclair, is a grazier in Carella, Longreach, Australia. while hiS sister, Miss A. Sinclair, resides in Auckland.

The funeral tpok place at the Kauri cemetery, and the large number of people iff attendance was evidence of the respect in which he was held.