OBITUARY.

Otaki Mail, 31 March 1939, Page 2

OBITUARY.

THE LATE MR. WILLIAM ROACH. The late Air. William Roach, who met with an unl'oitunuto motor accident on Alonday night while on his way to Otaki, succumbed to his injuries in the Palmerston Xorth Hospital oil Wednesday morning. The deceased gentleman, ulio was born at Ohau, was 57 years of age, and a son of Airs. Roach, Waerenga Road. Of a quiet and unassuming nature, the late Air. Roach was educated at tne Otaki .state School and later became a carpenter, carrying out ins work in a thorough manner. He was also a keen sport, and at the time of iiis deatli was a steward of the Otaki Aluori Racing Club. At one time iie was a line shot and as a member of tiie now defunct Aiounted Rifles, was a general favourite. ILe married a daughter of Mr. and Alls. R. Aladdoek, and leaves a widow and a family of eight to mom u their loss. AlueJt sympathy is felt for tiie bereaved. AIR. JOHN SAIALLEY POLE. The late Air. Joint Smalley Pole, who died at tiie residence of iiis daughter. Airs. P. B. Anderson, at Wanganui on Tuesday morning, was born in Castledounington, nearly S 3 years ago, and lived in Leicester till the day, in Jus 23rd year, lie threw a day-book at his ledger-keeper and sailed for Xew Zealand. The voyage was made in tiie sailing ship “Otaki,” a name that was to become of greater signilicanc-c to him later in iiis career. He landed in Dunedin on Christmas Eve, in the year 1870. Two years later his fiancee came out from Leicester and they were married on January 3rd, 1882.

Tiie late Air. Pole remained in Dunedin for II or J 5 years, where live of his six children were born. He was connected, us a builder, with the erection of some of Dunedin's most notable buildings of that period, including the famous Larnache Castle. These years saw many ups and downs in both national and personal fortunes, and at times lie had to go far afield for cm ploymeut, often as far as the West Coast, where he built the Catholic Church at Westport. Often he and others had to walk as many as fourteen miles a day to and from this work. There were no free busses for workers in those days and often no roads to run them on. Later Air. Pole came to the Xorth Island and joined up with Alessrs Joseph Xathan and Co., being in charge of tiie installations of new types oi machinery in many of their dairy factories throughout the Alunawatu, Ran gitikei, Wairarapa and Taranaki. He ah i had control of all their testing opemtions throughout the same areas. Mr. Pole severed his connection with

I In? dairying industry to go bade to England but two years later saw him iviurning to Xew Zealand, where lie i, .• It a home for his family and himsuit’ at Kelvin ('.rove, near Palmerston North. This was a very young town a hen he first knew it. The Square in the centre of the town was just a damning ground for tins, bottles and “drunks. - ’ “An eyesore,’’ was tne opinion of residents, but the vision of a tew held fast against the derision of many, and the square remained to become’what it is to-day—the pride of the city. .Mr. l’cde returned to his old occupation as a building contractor, and contributed his share to the growth of developing towns. -Many years ago Mr. pole came to Otaki, under contract to build the Central Hotel and remained to erect nuuiv more buildings, including the theatre, built to the order of the late Messrs P.right Bos. in l!'b". Mr. Pole was one of the first members of the Otaki Town Board in Bile, and’he proved his worth on account of his sound knowledge. He engineered many moves for the progress of the town, and was one of the Commissioners of the board when Tasman Road and Anzac Road were laid out. He also did the contract work of kerbing and channelling the main streets. He proved verv capable in all departments, v.averv popular, and when he sold hibusiness to live in retirement at Wan ganui he was accorded one of the big gest farewells this town bad ever wit nessed. On the death of Mrs. Pole some six years ago, Mr. Pole went to Wanganui to reside with his daughter, Mrs. B. B. \nderson. There with the exception of a short period some three years ago. he enjoved excellent health up to within a few days of his death. He passed away peacefully and quietly. Mr. Pole was predeceased by his second son Stanley, who was buried at Otaki, and his youngest son Alfred, who was lost with the No. 1 Expeditionarv Hospital Force in the Finking of the" “Marquette - ’ during the war. The remaining family are Mr. L. IPole master of the Morrinsville District High School, Mr. C. E Pole, of the Queensland Schools Ira.el.i.. Dental Clinic, Mrs. A. H. Poweil, of Hamilton, and Mrs. P. B. Anderson, of Wanganui. . , . It is somewhat of a coincidence that the late Mr. Pole made his first contact with New Zealand through tlm sailing ship “Otaki,” the name also of the township that was later to be his home for so many years, and wherein he made so many strong and lasting friendships, and to where he has now returned to rest. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Otaki, when the Rev. R. Blair conducted a service at the 1 resbvterian Churchfand also at the graveside. He referred to the lire ot Mr. Pole from boyhood days till the .ater vears of his life, and oriefly dealt with the work he had carried out in various parts of New Zealand. A number ot beautiful floral tributes were placed on the casket. The bereaved relatives have been the recipients of a large number of sympathetic messages.