OBITUARY

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15235, 28 December 1942, Page 2

OBITUARY

LATE MR J. Y CRAWFORD (Contributed.) It is the wish of many, that the passing away from our midst of one of this district's oldest and most esteemed members should not be allowed to go unnoticed, hence this effort of an old friend. J refer to the late Mi J. Y. Crawford, Known to many as “J. Y.,’’ than whom a more genial man would he hard to find His welcome smile was knewn to many and much appreciated by them, and they wish to express publicly their very high estimate' of bis character and their sympathy v ith Mrs Crawford and the family, for they mourn his loss also. H<* was born in Clifton. Gloucester, England, in 1871, but this is rot the place to give his family history, hut a little of liis life

amongst us. He was one of a number of young Englishmen who came out to New Zealand in the early days of this Bush Country. about 50 years ago—h<> was only sixteen then. The surrounding country in those days was practically roadless, bridge! ess and without telephones, compared to what we have now. and he was thus one of the pioneers of the Pahiatua district, and a successful one at that. Prior to coining to Pahiatua at 21 lie was in the Bulls district, and at Heaton Park under the late Mr Robert Wilson for some years, whose daughter Elizabeth he later married. The deceased and ,his elder brother. the late Mr Harry Crawford. at one time owned a property in the Mrngaone Valley known as Chesfield. He then moved to Ngateri or Makuri district, doing good pioneer work. Later he acquired the well known Clifton estate which was his home till he retired from active farming to live in Pahiatua—a well deserved rest after a steady persevering career such as British pioneers have put up in many parts of our Empire. He was one of the oldest members of the Pahiatua Club and its President for a time—he will be sorely missed there. His good volunteer work at the time of the last war and plague will not be forgotten by many old farmers, one of whom is the writer. The dairy farmers at that time were hard pressed Tt is to such men. quiet, unobtrusive, but typical of the Old Country that New Zealand owes much of its prosperity. It is not given to us all to be public men. but just as praiseworthy is he who has helped to reclaim our Bush Country and been a good citiaen and settler—very many will miss 4 him. “Requieseat in pace.”