William Keys

Te Ao Hou, March 1968, Page 3

William Keys The untimely death in January of Mr William Keys at the age of 37, saw the passing of an outstanding Maori sportsman. On his mother's side he was the descendant of distinguished ancestors, both Maori and Pakeha. His Maori forbears were of the Ngapuhi tribe, and he was the great-great-grandson of Judge Manning, author of ‘Old New Zealand’ and other early historical works. From his father he inherited Manx blood, with a long and honoured history in the Isle of Man. Mr Keys was born at Kohukohu, Northland, and received all his education at Taumarunui. At the age of 15 he won the N.Z. Maori tennis singles championship at Ngaruawahia, shared the men's doubles with his older brother Fred, and the mixed doubles with his mother, Mrs Ada Keys. He successfully defended his singles and doubles titles for several years, and also competed with success at the N.Z. Open Junior championships. Mr Keys was also an outstanding rugby player and was well above average at golf, snooker and billiards, A rugby injury eventually forced him to discontinue all strenuous sporting activities. Prior to the start of the N.Z. Maori tennis championships at Rotorua this year, competitors and officials observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the late Mr Keys. He leaves a wife and three children. —E. R. Clark