A LINK WITH THE PAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 295, 14 December 1936, Page 6

A LINK WITH THE PAST

THE LA IT. 3HL . r.MNELi. (By A. McK.) Another Li .>nm. • . . shortening chain that bound the car>.v pioneers ol Rangit.ikei to one anoGier, has been severed by the death, from heart failure, of John Mel.; .- 1 , tragic in its suddenness for th • witnc.sed his passing, men . in that he d’d not suffer, when o!u_. .ng the summons that wafted his spirit to Immortality. Born at Invoihoo, Lower Rangitikei, seventy years ago, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James McDonell, kept open house for many years, quite in keeping with Scottish usage—for was not James McDonell really Lord Glengarry in his right, as a member of that noble family, who through political upheavels or civil wars, lost heritage, position, everything except their name, a poor reminder only to them of a glory long past. It. may not be generally known that John McDoncll’s mother came as a bride to and lived all her life at Invcrhoe. Riding from Kai Wharawhara, the home of her parents (whose name was Cameron) with her husband, she had lhe privilege of being the first white woman to ride on horseback through the waters of the Rangitikei River. The name of her horse was Grey Ronald, and the crossing place was immediate below lhe ancient. Maori pa known as Awa Hou. The school where John McDonell learnt his alphabet was held in the old silting room of the original Poyntzfield home-toad (no-.v part of Flock House), built with totara slab walls, lined with spiral (rtn * work, and r<»ofed with toi toi. in the year 1850, by a gang of .-:iy Maoris. A good judge of stock and a fearless the late Mi. J. McDoneli’s outstanding performance was the rescue of h’.s ;r. iGkt an i liter at night from their home when surrounded by the waters of the record flood in A good sport, and a lover of lhe horse, he owned several, notably Bonnie Rill, and Papatere, winning a number of races with each. For many years he acted as clerk I of the course at Bulls for the Rangitikei P.acing Club, and was elected a life member of the club. He af elward became a steward of the Marton Jockey Club and was elected a life member in recognition of his services. He for several years tilled the office of president of the Marton District. A and P. Association, remaining a mer iber and taking an active interest, in its affairs up to the last. As a young man ho had charge of the stock belonging to the late John McKelvie, for some years afterward, having full management of the stock running upon the Waitatapia estate, leaving this position to farming, first in the Sandon district, afterward at Ha!I combe, and Marton districts, retiring finally, move from the result of an | accident, while riding than from I choice, to take up his residence on jTutaenui Road, Marton. His widow, I a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Roid residents of Parewanui, one son Wilson McDonell of DanneI- : , ■■ two daughters. Mrs. Henry ir ; r .- v ; Mr s Albert Lampp, Loth iof Marton, are left to mourn Ihe loss • ■■ ; • . !wwhand and father. j The last of the five sons of Jam.-. : and Ann McDonell has passed on- - i :.-' b' l I t.ho friendship of all, ■ the enmity of none.- | A Inr c of friends .-.nd [ relatives took place at his funeral. Floral wreaths were sent by Marton ! Jockey Club, Marton District A. am |p. Association. Rangitikei Racing ; Club, besides others sent by sympaI friends and relatives from far | and near. The services at the home- • : an i grY/.t-ride were conducteby the Rev. A. W. Emaill. The pallbearers were Messrs. James, William .••rr’ George McDonell, William G v ay. and John Thompson, nephews of the dc - '-ed. Three sisters are still living: Mrs. Smith. Palmerston North. Mrs. Gray. Wellington. Mrs. Morse Haitaiiai. Wellington; and Mrs. P. Daniell, Foxton.