TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 58, 10 March 1931, Page 11

TAIHAPE

FIRE BOARD. to “Chronicle. ”J The superintendent of the Taihape Fire Brigade (Mr J. Mortland) submitted the following report at the annual meeting of the Fire Board on Friday: “During the year the usual musters have been held and the attendance at each has been excellent. It is pleasing to report that the fire loss for tne year is the lowest on record. During the period under review the brigade was called out eleven times (two fires in premises, cwo chimney fires, one bush fire; six false alarms). The worst fire was in Mr F. M. Marlow’s office in Hautapu Street, but it was easily confined to the one room. This was fortunate as Mr Marlow’s office is situated in a block of wooden buildings with no brick wall in the vicinity. The other fire occurred in the roof of Mr Etevencaux’s billiard saloon, and was soon extinguished with the aid of a chemical extinguisher. The bush fire occurred at the back of the old tennis courts in Huia Street. The outbreak, was extinguished with difficulty but 1 very little damage was done. The Dennis fire engine and equipment are | in good order and condition. It would be advisable to have the chimney at the fire station inspected as there is reason to believe that it was damaged by the earthquake. The following is a list of the equipment required for the ensuing year and the approximate price of same:—Five hundred feet of hose, £4O 12s 6d; six working uniforms. £29 17s 6d; six undress uniforms, £26 8s; six caps. £5 2s; total, £102.” The report was adopted. The meeting decided to order 500 ft. of hose immediately.

OBITUARY. MR. RICHARD CLEAVER. Ono of the earliest and most highly respected pioneers of the Taihape district passed away on Sunday afternoon in the person of Mr Richard (“Dick”) Cleaver. Although deceased had been in a poor state of health ever since he underwent a serious operation five years ago, his death was totally unexpected and came as a great shock to his sorrowing relatives and friends. Mr Cleaver was taken ill suddenly at Koeke on Sunday and passed away at 2.30 o’clock in the afternoon. His passing will be deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends for his many fine qualities made him extremely popular with all those with whom he came in contact. He was noted for his generosity and many people in the district remember with deep gratitude tho assistance they received from Mr Cleaver when they found themselves in straitened circumstances. Deceased was born and educated in Dunedin. Farm life appealed to him and when his school career ended he decided to follow this calling. After gaining farming experience in Central Otago he camo to the Taihape district over 30 years ago and was employed on the late Mr R. T. Batloy’s estate at Monwhango. Taihape did not exist at this time and Moawhango was the only township in the district. Subsequently Mr Cleaver left Moawhango and secured employment on Ruanui station, where he stayed for four years. Deceased then acquired 200 acres of land at Kocke. Tt was all standing bush when he took it. He eventually increasing his property to 1500 acres. Mr Cleaver experienced and overcame many of the difficulties which beset the early pioneers. He was recognised as a shrewd and successful farmer. Deceased was a staunch supporter of St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, which he assisted by means of liberal donations and in other ways. He worked hard during the Great War for the benefit of patriotic societies and took a great interest in returned soldiers. Ho was married at Middlemarch, Central Otago, in 1908. Mr Cleaver leaves his wife and three sons and three daughters, and to them much sympathy will be extended in their sad bereavement. Deceased was 59 years of age. The funeral leaves St. Margaret’s Church, Taihape, at 2.30 p.m. to-day (Tuesday) for tho Taihape cemetery.