OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 23 January 1939, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR ARTHUR WHELHAM OF TAKAKA

SIXTY-ONE YEARS IN DISTRICT The death occurred on Thursday morning at Takaka, of Mr Arthur Whelham, who, born in London, England, came to New Zealand as a young man of 18 to commence his association with Golden Bay about the year 1876. Since Mr Whelham’s arrival in the district his chief interests have been with sawmilling and goldmining industries, and within more recent years the development of the “movie” and “talkie” picture theatre. His first connection with the sawmilling industry commenced about the year 1877 with the firm of Page, Cobb and Co., at a mill situated at Central Takaka, and later with Messrs Bartlett and Co. It was at this time he met Mary Solly, daughter of the late Edward Solly, of Central Takaka, who as his wife was to share his work and happiness until her death in 1914.

After his marriage Mr Whelham took up land at the Pu Pu where gold had been discovered as far back as the years 1857-8. The first discoveries of gold made in the district were at Tinpot Gully, and at Lightband’s Gully, Collingwood. About the same year the more extensive discoveries of alluvial gold deposits were causing more or less of a rush at the Pu Pu.

Mr Whelam transported the material for the house which he built at the Pu Pu, over the then roadless country by means of the heavy timber waggons which provided the necessary transport of those early days. The freehold property which he had taken had no restrictions on the title such as were later imposed by the Mining Acts which reserved the mineral rights to the Crown. But among the miners of those days were foreigners of every nationality, some of Chinese, who showed little respect for the rights of others. . At first he had difficulty in keeping these people off the gold-bearing gullies within the boundaries of his land.

For a number of years, while Mr Whelham’s young family were growing up, he worked his claim by hydraulic elevating and sluicing and finally when he sold the property to the Golden Bay Sluicing Company, he retired to Pohara where he took lip residence at “'The Rocks” in 1906.

After a few years of retirement he again took up sawmilling in association with Messrs Page and Reilly, who had commenced a mill at the Long Plain now known as Kotinga. At this time he also took over from Messrs J. Walker and Co., the sash and door factory and planing mill in the township of Takaka. He continued in this business until the Great War broke out in 1914 and the young men of the district, including his youngest son, Roy Whelham, joined the forces. The milling industry, like many other business activities throughout the Dominion, ceased. It was in this year that he suffered the loss of his wife and for a time retired from active business. Mr Whelham was the first Chairman of the Takaka Town Board on its formation in 1914, but retired from the Board a few years later. About this time he interested himself in the picture theatre which was built on the site formerly occupied by the planing and timber mill. The Golden Bay Power Board took over the race and water supply formerly constructed and used by the Golden Bay Sluicing Co., which is now providing the power for the district.

For a number of years Mr Whelham managed the picture business but on account of ill health and other less exacting interests, he has lived in retirement since 1929. Mr Whelham retained his keen interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare and development of the district. He was one of the foundation members of the Takaka Bowling Club, and Golden Bay Masonic and Oddfellows’ Lodges, and for 50 years had been a trustee of the latter. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace about 30 years ago. For the last four years he had been in indifferent health. He is survived by a grown-up familyy of five daughters and one son: Mesdames L. Mclntosh (Napier), B. Heighton (Miramar), A. Reilly (Takaka), W. G. Gibbs (Waitapu), and M. R. Couper (Puramahoi), r.nd Mr Arthur Lester Whelham (Invercargill). Two sons and one daughter died some years ago, one son Roy, being killed in the Great War. His grandchildren number 24 and great grandchildren 12. The funeral on Saturday afternoon at the Rototai cemetery was largely attended by residents of Golden Bay. MRS M. J. MACAULAY The death has occurred of Mrs M. J. Macaulay, of Tarakohe. She was the wife of the chief engineer at the Golden Bay cement works. The late Mrs Macaulay was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where she married Mr Macaulay, coming out to New Zealand in 1925, since when she had resided at Tarakohe. In addition to a husband, she leaves a family of three girls and one boy to mourn their loss. Mrs Macaulay was a very popular woman, who actively assisted all things of a social nature in the district, and the deepest sympathy of many friends is extended to Mr Macaulay and family in their loss.