DEATH OF PIONEER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 169, 21 July 1941, Page 4

DEATH OF PIONEER

MR. JOHN IM9RKISON, J.P

LONG LOCAL BUOY SERVICE

Nearly three weeks after celebrating his eighty-third birthday, Mi. John Morrison, J.P., Koromiko Road, Wanganui, died on Saturday. His passing removed another of tne old pioneers of the Wanganui district, and also a man who had given long and valued service on local bodies. Born in Western Australia m 185 S, he was less than six months old when his parents came to New ZealandSoon after landing at Wellington, Mr. Morrison’s lather walked io Wanganui to find a suitable place in which to settle with his young family, but those were the days of the .Maori wars, and Mr. Morrison, sen., decided to return to Australia.

He was walking back to Wellington when he met Mr. William (afterward Sir William) Fox, who persuaded him io remain in New Zealand as settlers were badly needed. Mr. Fox told Mr. Morrison that if he stayed he could live in one of his houses on York Farm, near the Rangitikei River. Mr. Morrison agreed to do so and established his family there. Later the family moved to Turakina, where Mr. Morrison's father was engaged in road-making. Not old enough for military service, Mr. John Morrison took no active part in the fighting during the Maori wars, but he was a military escort many times in Turakina, and also drove stock to the forces for food supplies. Later Mr. Morrison went on the land and farmed in Maxwell, Hurleyville, and in the Rangitikei. His last farm was netir where his father first settled. Mr. Morrison sold his form 21 years ago and has lived in retirement in Wangantl? ever since.

Mr. Morrison had a long association with local bodies. He was one of the founders of the Hurleyville Dairy Company, and the first chairman. He was a member of the Palea Road Board and the Oroua County Council, and for five years was a member of the Manawatu-Oroua Electric-power Board.

He was also a member oi the Wanganui Harbour Board, Wanganui City Council, and Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric-power Board. A staunch supporter of the old Liberal Party, Mr. Morrison contributed much to the success of Mr. W. A. Veitch’s campaigns in the Wanganui electorate and for 18 years was chairman of his committee. He also took a prominent part in political campaigns In the Oroua electorate before coming to Wanganui. During the influenza epidemic of 1918 Mr. and Mrs. Morrison suffered a severe loss in the death of three of their children. There are four children living—Mr. J. P. Morrison and Mrs. .1. L. Fergusson (Rangitikei), A. J. Coxhead (Te Awamutu), and Miss G. Morrison (Wanganui).