OBITUARY

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3173, 3 May 1932, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR ISAAC COATES. With the death of Mr; Isaac Coates alt Auckland on Sunday the fastdwindling band of Waikato pioneers has been further reduced. The late Mr Coates was born near Richmond, Yorkshire, in 1840, and was brought up to farming. In 1867 he arrived at Lyttelton in the ship Lancashire Witch,, and in the following year removed to Auckland and bought land near Hamilton, where he resided foil* some time. He bought and farmed 700 acres at Ruakura, later selling the area to the Government, which turned it into the State Farm as we now know it. At one time he undertook large drainage and railway contracts. It was as a progressive farmea*, however, that his non-lpublic life will be principally remembered. He was one oi 1 the first to introduce mowing machines, reapers and binders, and threshing and chaff-cutting plants into the Waikato.

Mr Coates was one of the first councillors of the borough of Hamilton, and occupied the Mayoral chair for the five consecutive years ending in 1892. For some time he held a seat on the Waikato County Council, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and for about three years was chairman of the Kirikiriroa Road Board. In 1893 he unsuccessfully contested the Waikato Pai'liamentary seat with the late Hon. A. J. Cadman. He was an active member of the Church of England. Mr Coates, who retired 20 years ago, made several trips to England. His wife died a week ago. He is survived by four daughters, Mrs J. A. Gillett, of Pukenui Road, Epsom, MUs N. C. Kensington, of Dunedin, Mrs R. C. Heddon, of Pukeatua, and Mrs E. T. Hughes, of Papakura; and three sons, Messrs H. A. Coates, of Rotorua, and A. H. Coates and H. F. Coates, of Melbourne. There are 26 grandchildren.