OBITUARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 4

OBITUARY.

» AGED KAIPAKI SETTLER. MR DONALD MCKINNON’S DEATH. A well-known settler of the Te Rore and 'Kalpaki districts for more than 60'years, Mr Donald MoKinnon, died yesterday aFTris home at Ohaupo. Mr McKinnon may be considered as one of the pioneers of the southwestern portion of the Waikato. Born In the Isle of Skye, Mr McKinnon came as a young man to Auckland by sailing ship in 1873. He took up land at Te .Rore, and, arriving at his holding just after the conclusion of ,the Maori wars, he set about carving a home out of virgin land. Some indication of the rugged nature of the provinoe is provided by the" fact that the journey from Auckland to Hamilton required at least three days. Much of the advancement made by the Te Rore district is owed to the energy and enthusiasm of Mr McKinnon. He was one of the prime movers for the establishment of a school in the district, .and when at length 'his endeavours were brought to fruition he held the post of chairman of the committee for some years.

About 25 years ago he went with his wife, whom he married in 18'82, to Kaipald, where he has since resided, save for a period of seven years spent at Putaruru. Mrs McKinnon predeceased her husband some three years ago.

Three sons, Roderick, Malcolm and Murdock, lost their lives during the Great War. The surviving members of the family are Mesdames P. Boyle (Point Chevalier, Auckland), and T. (F. Snell (Papakura); Messrs. Donald McKinnon (Putaruru), arid Nell, Angus, and Norman McKinnon (Kaipaki). There are 24 grand-children.