OBITUARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18625, 2 May 1932, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR IBAAC COATES. With the death of Mr Isaac Coates at Auckland on Sunday the fast dwindling 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 i 1867 he arrived at Lyttelton in the ship Lancashire Witch, and in the following year removed to Auckland and boiight land near Hamilton, where he resided for some time. He purchased and farmed 700 acres at Buakura, later selling the area to the Government, which turned it into the State Farm as we now know it. The old Coates homestead was used by the first Government farm mangaer as a residence and it was later turned into a dairy. . Mr Coates was engaged in the flax milling industry for a long time, owning in 1886 and 1887 a mill where the Soldiers’ Park now is and others at Morrinsville and. Maketu on the East Coast. For a time he operated a brickworks in Collingwood Street, later removing it to Huntly. He was also interested in the gum trade. He spent about a year at the Thames goldfields. At one time he undertook large drainage and railway contracts, sometimes singly and sometimes with a partner, constructing pkrt of the Main Trunk Line. It was as a progressive farmer, however, that his non-public life will be principally remembered. He was one of the first to introduce mowing machines, reapers and binders, and threshing and ohaff-cutting plants into the Waikato district.

Mr Coates was one of the first councillors of the borough of Hamilton, and occupied the mayoral chair for the five consecutive years ending 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 th«#Kirikiriroa Road Board. In 1893 he unsuccessfully contested the Waikato Paliamentary 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. He was married, in 1875, to a daughter of the late Mr P. Coleman, of Kirildrlroa, and his wife, died a week ago. He is survived by four daughters, Airs J. A. Gillett, of Pukenui Road, Epsom, Airs N. G. Kensington, of Dunedin, Mrs R. C. I-lebbon,'of Pukeatua, Airs E. T. Hughes of Papakura, and three sons, Messrs’h. A. Coates, of Rotorua, and A. H. Cqates and H. F. Coates, of Melbourne. There are 26 grand children. One son, Ernest, who was well known in Hamilton as a footballer, died from fever some years ago while engaged on survey work in Borneo.

MR Q. WINSTONE. AUCKLAND, Monday. ' Mr George Winstone, sen., died at his residence yesterday at the age of 84. Air Wlnstone took a keen Interest in. the welfare of Auckland during his long residence in Auckland,- and he gave continued service to the Church and to the prohibition cause. Mr Winstone, who was born in Somersetshire, came to New Zealand in 1869, joining his brother In business In Auckland. For 36 years the firm was known as W. and G. Wlnstone, and in 1904 the business was formed into a company under the name Winstone, Limited. Mr Winstone was appointed chairman of directors, and he held that position until his death. COMMANDER D. F. T. BRUCE. AUCKLAND, Alonday. The death has occurred of Commander D. F. T. Bruce, R.D., R.N.R., who for 25 years was navigating officer on the cable steamer Iris, now the Recorder. MR STEPHEN EVA. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. The death occurred yesterday of Mr Stephen Eva, aged 87, believed to be the last surviving civilian in Taranaki who took part In the Maori wars of 1860-61. MR F. W. FAIREY. NELSON, Monday. Mr F. W. Fairey, a well-known business man, has died at thte age of 62 years. Deceased was an enthusiastic member of the Nelson A. and P. Association, and for many years was the largest exhibitor of sheep and cattle. lie took his share in public life, and in 1901 was elected to the Nelson Gily Council. He was for many years a member of the Nelson Jockey Club and Nelson Trotting Club;

DR. T. L. GILMER. The death has occurred at Los Angeles of Dr. Thomas Lewis Gilmer, of Chicago, well known to many dentists in New Zealand.