MR GEORGE LEACH

Te Ao Hou, December 1961, Page 4

MR GEORGE LEACH At the age of 58 Mr George Leach passed away on June 26th, 1961. George had been ill for some time but had continued to work until the beginning of 1960 when he was ordered into hospital at Rotorua. Towards the end of the year he was able to resume work but ill health again forced him to enter hospital. In March of this year he once more felt well enough to return to work. In June 25th while taking part in the Bible Week Campaign when he read the lesson from the new translation of the New Testament, he contracted a chill which brought to a close a most useful life. George's life had been one of service to both Maori and Pakeha. He began his education at the Whangara Maori School and won a Makarini Scholarship which took him to Te Aute College. In his final year he was Dux but unfortunately there was no one to encourage him to go on to University. Nevertheless he began to work in Gisborne with a Maori Agent, Mr Willie Cooper, and his work was recognised by law firms and the Judge and Registrar of Maori Land Court as being of very excellent order. So much so that he was prevailed upon to enter Public Service with Maori Affairs Department in 1928. He was posted to Wellington for a few months, then transferred to Wanganui. While with the Wanganui Office he covered all phases of the Department's work throughout the whole district. I think he was the best known Maori in the whole of the Aotea District. It was during the war years that his health first broke down. In 1941 he was told to go into Sanatorium, but with staff shortages caused through men going on military duty, he felt he must do his bit by staying at his work. While in Wanganui he spent most of his Saturday mornings in Maori Welfare work. There are many families to-day who have George to thank for the guidance and help he gave their young people. He was Chairman of Queens Park School Committee for several years, a member of the Rugby Union, a member of Durie Hill Scouts Committee, Swimming Club, Kaierau Football Club, a Vestryman and a Synodsman. Transferred to Rotorua as Officer in Charge of Consolidations in 1948, he rose to be Deputy Registrar of Waiariki Maori Land District, which position he held until ill health forced him to relinquish that office for one less arduous.