OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 10 March 1943, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR ARTHUR McKEE * A prominent figure in the fruit growing industry for many years, anc one who played a big part in the development of Tasman as an orcharo district. Mr Arthur McKee passed away yesterday at the age of 79 years.

Mr McKee also originated two important new industries in the district —the Fruitgrowers’ Chemical Company and Lime and Marble Company.

Born in Liverpool in 1863, Mr McKee received his education there and entered the commercial department of the “Liverpool Lantern.” also attending lectures at Liverpool University College. He joined the literary staff of St. Helen’s “Newspaper and Advertiser” and the “Liverpool Courier.’ In 1888 he established the “St. Helen’s Chronicle,” which espoused the cause of chemical workers for better conditions.

Coming to New Zealand in 1890 he became senior partner in the firm of McKee and Gamble, printers, Wellington, but for health reasons he sold out in 1902 and settled in Motueka. That same year, at the request of the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, he submitted a scheme for establishing a fruitgrowing industry on community lines (specifically to export mghgra&e apples and pears). However. owing to Seddon’s death, the scheme did not materialise.

In 1910 Mr McKee purchased the Moutere Bluffs estate of 2500 acres, which was renamed Tasman and was soon planted with apples and pears. For many years up to the time of hi.*- death Mr McKee was a wellknown personality at fruitgrowers’ meetings and provincial and Dominion conferences. He was a keen bowler and also played golf Mr McKee, who married twice, lost a son. Lieutenant Fred McKee, in the last war, and another 6on, Arthur, also died. He is survived by his wife, two daughters. Miss Mabel McKee (Feildinp) and Miss Winifred McKee (Wellington' and three sons. Messrs Frank (Tasman), Guy and Tasman (Mapua).