LATE MR J. MCGOVERN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1939, Page 6

LATE MR J. MCGOVERN

4 WELL-KNOWN WAIRARAPA RES-DENT. The late Mr James McGovern, of Mauriceville, who died yesterday after a severe illness, was the eldest son of the late Mr M. McGovern and Mrs McGovern, of Lansdowne, very old residents of this district. He was born in Masterton sixty-one years ago. being the twin brother of Mrs J. McKenzie, Puketi, Masterton. He was always of a quiet, unassuming nature, and always willing to give a helping hand in any case of distress which came within the sphere of his activities, and one who was extremely honest in all his dealings. At the age of seventeen he worked for the late Mr James Mcßae, and later was manager on Waimanu, afterwards leasing and then purchasing the property in the Maungarei. Later he bought a small farm at Manaia, Masterton, which he farmed until 1917. He then bought!the Mahoe property at Mauriceville from the late Mr F. Kummer. Here he successfully carried on sheep farming until the time of his death. The late Mr McGovern was widely known and respected in the Mauriceville district. He was greatly interested in the progress of the district and was associated with all the local bodies and committees. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Mauriceville Dairy Company from 1928 to 1934, when he gave up his large dairy herd. For many years he had been’ a member of the Mauriceville Hall Society, and had acted as chairman of the society for the last six years. He was one of the founders of the Table Tennis Club and had been president of the Mauriceville Tennis Club since its inception. He was a most active and valued member of the Mauriceville District Sports Club. He had served on the School Committee for the long period of 21 years, having been chairman for the past eight years. While on the School Committee he gave valuable service and was a representative on the Boys’ and Girls' Agricultural Club, and it was largely due to his interest and enthusiasm that the school chib was so successful. He was a member of the Lansdowne Presbyterian Church and as an officebearer for a number of years rendered valuable service. He also took a keen interest in the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, of which he was a member for many years.

The late Mr McGovern married in 1909 Catherine Isabel, the third daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Donald McKenzie, of Woodlands, Wangaehu. His wife predeceased him nine years ago. He is survived by his mother, Mrs M. McGovern, of Totara Street, Masterton, and a family of four sons, Messrs Arthur, Ronald, Quinton and Norman McGregor, and three daughters, Mrs A. Urquhart and Misses Alice and Jeane McGovern, besides five sisters, Mesdames W. Wrigley, A. McKay, J. McKenzie, G. Napier and J. Bannister and four brothers, Messrs W., R., and D. McGovern (all of the Wairarapa) and Mr J. McGovern (Waikato). The late Mr McGovern will be greatly missed for his sterling qualities by all with whom he come in contact. The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving the late residence, Mauriceville, at the conclusion of a service commencing at 1.30 p.m. for the Masterton Cemetery.