OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 12

OBITUARY.

ME. WILLIAM WARDLAW, [by telegraph.—own correspondent. 1 WHAKATAXE, Friday..; One of the earliest settlers of the Whakatane district, Mr. William Wardlaw, died at Waimana yesterday, aged 66 years. Born at Edinburgh in 1860, Mr: Wardlaw went to Chili as a young man, and was engaged in farming there for about seven years. Then he came to New, Zealand, landing in Auckland 31 years ago. When sections in the Opouriao Estate were offered by ballot he drew a section, and, he and his family were the first settlers, to arrive here after the estate Was cut up. J On - his section Mr. Wardlaw went m-fdr" maize growing and dairy farming, and was looked upon as the best dairy farmer of the time at Opouriao. He took. an, active part in the formation of the Opouriao Dairy Company 25 years ago, and for about six or seven years was. chair* man of the company. He had much to do in building up the business of the company and putting it on the sound basis which has been maintained to the present 'day. » • • • Fifteen years ago Mr. Wardlaw left Opouriao and took up a holiding" at Waimana, where he remained until his death. He took an active part in the affairs Of the county, and for a number of years Waimana on the County Council. Pie was also chairman of the Waimana Dairy Company for some years. In -the early ' days he was-for some time th<i only dairy farmer at Opouriao, and brought his butter for sale to the Whakatane township. There was then no mail delivery at Taneatua, but Mr. Wardlaw, on his regular visits to Whakatans, always; returned home with the mail, a- service which was much appreciatec} by his fellow settlers. He had one of thg best Short-" horn dairy herds in the district, and wp recognised as an authority on * Shorthorn cattle. • '

Mr. Wardlaw is survived by his wife and four sons and four daughters..