NONAGENARIAN'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18578, 10 December 1923, Page 10

NONAGENARIAN'S DEATH.

EARLY AUCKLAND SETTLER. MR. ROGER KAY. A pioneer of the North'lsland, who had attained to the age of 92, Mr. RogerKay, j passed away on Saturday, at his residence in Mount Albert Road, Epsom. He was the second son of the late Mr. v Thomas Kay, of Manchester, and was born at Radcliffe, Lancashire in 1831. As a youth, Mr. Kay, was brought up as a farmer. In 1852 he went to Australia, and after spending two years in. New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, he .came to New Zealand. In < Australia, Ee was « associated with the tanning industry, % and upon arrival in New Zealand, he established himself as a tanner and fell-monger in Mechanics Bay, on the site now Known as Carlaw Park. In 1865 he sold his business to Messrs Ireland Brothers, but remained with them as manager for nearty 30 years. Not long after acquiring the business, Messrs. . Ireland Brothers removed their works to Panmure. During tHe tTme Mr. Kay acted as manager, the firm took first Erizes against all comers at Dunedin Exibition. In 1891, Mr. Kay. retired from the tanning business, and went to live on his farm at Rangiaohia, near Te Awamutu. He spent 20 years there, and then returned to Auckland", taking up hi* residence at Epsom. During the Maori War, Mr. Kay was employed by the Government, transporting cattle and provisions to the troops, then stationed at Drury. Mr. Kay married Miss Margaret Hurley, daughter of the late Mr. M. Hurley, of Parnell, at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, in 1860. He leaves a widow and seven sons anl five daughters, all of whom are married, and resident in various ■parts of the North Island. His descendants include 29 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. ' Mr. Kay, took a keen interest in. the current events of the day, and often remarked that he had regularly read the Herald, from the day of its first issue. During the closing days of his life, he had the paper road to him. For many years, Mr. Kay." was a member of 'the Rangiaohia Road Board. His youngest son, Mr. Frederick Kay, served for four years in the great war, and was three times wounded. A grandson was killed oh the Somrae in 1916, and a son-in-law laid down his life at Passchendaele. The funeral takes place to-day, leaving Mount Albert Road at 2 p.m. for Waikaraka Cemetery.