MR A. O. STEWART

Te Ao Hou, July 1958, Page 3

MR A. O. STEWART Mr Albert Oliphant Stewart died at his home in Whakatane, aged 73. Born in Whakatane on June 7, 1884, Mr Stewart was a pupil of the Poroporo School when he won a scholarship which entitled him to two years' study at St. Stephen's College in Auckland. Mr Stewart topped the poll at the first Whakatane Borough Council election in 1917. He was a member of the Whakatane Harbour Board from 1923 to 1932. He was the first president of the Mataatua District Council and he was responsible for this council's activities being delegated to the various tribal executives in its territory. Mr Stewart was appointed, in 1940, Maori rate collector for the Whakatane County Council. That position was unique at the time and he created collection records, yet retaining friendly relationships between the two races. He retired from this position in 1955. Mr Stewart had been president as well as secretary of the Whakatane Rugby Sub-union. Since the formation of the United Rugby Football Club, he had been the club's patron.