OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23651, 28 October 1938, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR QUENTIN DONALD

One of the most prominent Romney sheep breeders in New Zealand, and a very well-known resident of the Wairarapa, Mr Quentin Donald, died at his home, “Alloa,” Tauherenikau, after a brief illness, at the age of 70 years. He was the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs James Donald, pioneer Wairarapa settlers. He married Miss Alice Ford, Dunedin, and throughout his life followed . farming, achieving outstanding success with Romney sheep and Clydesdale horses. At agricultural and pastoral shows all over New Zealand for many years the Donald sheep have been recognized as one of the best strains in the country. In 1908 he was elected a member of the Featherston- County Council and in 1909 was appointed chairman, a position from which he retired last May. At the time of his death he was still a member of the council. On his retirement from the chair tributes were paid to his years of service, and he was made a presentation by his fellow councillors. Mr Donald served for many years on the Main Highways Board. Mr Donald was keenly interested in racing. He was elected a steward of the Wairarapa Racing Club in 1896. In 1907 he was elected a vice-president and from 1933 until the time of his death he was president of the club. He had been a trustee since 1906. In 1917 Mr Donald was elected a member of the council of the New Zealand Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders’ Association, and from 1926 to 1930 was president. He was a member of the council at the time of his death. He was a vice-president of the New Zealand Clydesdale Horse Society and president for two terms. He was elected a member of. the South Wairarapa River Board ,in 1903 and in 1925 was elected chairman, a position which he held for 10 years. For two years he was president <-f the Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Society, and from 1915 to 1917 he was president of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr Donald had been on two. occasions acting-chairman of the Scientific Research Council and from 1927 had been a member of the management committee of the Dairy Research Council. He had been a director for many years of the Co-operative Dairy Produce Freezing Company, and was a trustee of the Penrose Training Farm. Mr Donald had judged at agricultural and pastoral shows in all parts of New Zealand. He is survived by his widow and three sons, Messrs Quentin Donald, Martinborough, and James and lan Donald, Tauherenikau. Messrs Quentin and James Donald are well-known All Black footballers. There is one brother, Mr David- Donald, Masterton, and two sisters, Miss Bessie Donald, Featherston, and Mrs W. G. Hodder, Featherston.

MR ALEXANDER McKAY The death has occurred at Gore of Mr Alexander McKay, at the age of 62 years. He was born at Dundee, Scotland, in 1876 and when he was a youth of 17 he came to New Zealand with his uncle, Mr James Smith, of Valley Field, Waikaka Valley, where he was engaged at farm work for some time. Later, he went to sea for a number of years. He returned to Scotland after serving in the Great War and married Miss Jean Murray, of Fifeshire. They came to New i Zealand to live. During the last few years Mr McKay lived at Christchurch, but he was particularly well known in the Waikaka Valley and Waikaia districts. He is survived by his widow and on? daughter. FATHER FRANCIS MELU (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 27. The death occurred today of the Rev. Father Francis Melu, most of whose life was spent in missionary work for the Maoris, among whom he was held in the highest respect. Born in France in 1855, he came to New Zealand when about 30 years of age. Most of his work was done at Otaki. CONSTABLE J. BRUTON (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 27. The death occurred suddenly at his home, Mount Eden, of Constable John Bruton, a well-known and. popular member of the Police Force in Auckland. He was sitting at breakfast when he collapsed and died. He had been ill with bronchitis for the past two weeks and intended returning to work this morning. Constable Bruton, who was born in Dunedin 51 years ago, joined the Police Force in 1911 and. in his 27 years’ service in the force was stationed at several towns throughout the Dominion. He was stationed at Napier, Greymouth, Gisborne, Queen’s Wharf, Newton and at the Auckland Central Station. MR G. W. KEY (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 27. The death has occurred of Mr George William Key, aged 62, for some years president of the New Zealand Master Plumbers’ Association. He was a prominent Mason. MR F. J. ROBERTSHAW (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, October 27. Probably the best-known member of the Post and Telegraph Department staff up to about 20 years ago, Mr Frederic James Robertshaw died at Takapuna. Mr Robertshaw, who was born in London 84 years ago, came to New Zealand at an early age. Entering the Post and Telegraph Department as a lad he was soon in administrative positions and had charge of stations at

Akaroa, Kaikoura, Ashburton, Picton, Whangarei and Tauranga, retiring from the service after his term at the last named office. For some years also he held a position as inspector in the district between Wellington and Patea at a period when most of the travelling was done by coach. In the late eighties and early nineties Mr Robertshaw was officer in charge of the central gallery in Wellington for the training of cadets. Large numbers of officers who have long since retired owed to him their tuition. For a long period he was in charge of the telegraph office at the Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington.