OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23008, 8 April 1938, Page 14

OBITUARY

MR. W. E. MEADWAY [BY TEI/EGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AWAMUTU, Thursday The death has occurcd of a pioneer settler of tne Paterangi district, Mr. William Edward Meadway, aged 84 years. Mr. Meadway, who was a member of an, old English family, came to New Zealand 55 years ago and took up a holding at Paterangi soon after Vhe WaikatovWar. He immediately proceeded to convert from its virgin state, the property which he was to mak§ his home for the rest of his life. Some 54 years ago he married Miss Jane Hodgson, the daughter of another early Waipa settler. He is survived by his widow and a son and daughter.

MR. If. OATES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday Stated to have been the owner of the first motor-car in New Zealand, Mr. Nicholas Oates died this week at the age of 86 years. This car, a Bcnz single-cylinder, was bought at the Paris Exhibition when Mr. Oates was abroad. It was built by the Raglan Company, from the famous German design. It had solid tyros, .'and was steered by a tiller. Four passengers could ride in the car, two facing the direction it was going, and two sitting with their backs to it. A maximum speed of 16 miles an hour was guaranteed, but it once did 17J miles an hour with favourable conditions and a light load. Mr. Oates arrived in New Zealand with the car in 1899, and' caused some excitement when he appeared with it in the streets of Christchurch. Mr. Oates was well known in the motoring trade, being a member of the firm of Oates, Lowry and Company, one of the earliest motoring businesses in Christchurch. He retired from active participation in business some years ago.