OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 84, 6 November 1939, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR JAMES PATTERSON

The death has occurred, suddenly, at the "Huia" Hospital, Auckland, of Mr James Patterson, in his 79th year. , Up till a short time ago Mr Patterson had enjoyed excellent health and it was only during the last few weeks that his health caused concern. On Sunday last he' was taken to Auckland for treatment, when it was found that an operation was necessary. Kis: weak state, however, precluded recovery and he died a few hours aft-er the operation.

The son of the late Mr and Mrs James Patterson, two of the early settlers of Otago, who arrived by the ship Jura, deceased spent his boyhood days at Port Molyneaux. The flax industry attracted him to the Bay of Plenty and in 1906 he arrived at Whakatane, coming to Te Puke in 1907, where he was associated with the* 1 ate Mr Dan McEwen for a number of years in flaxmilling. In 1914 Mr Patterson built a mill at Rangiuru, and went in for a deal of experimental work in the treatment of the flax fibre, installing the first suction gas plant in the district. A disastrous fire, however, which completely destroyed the flax,, caused him to cease operations, and after grassing the land, Mr Patterson took up farming. About twenty years ago he disposed of his property to Mr G. Mends, and retired, coming to Te Puke to reside. He was a most enthusiastic bowler, and one of the oldest members of the Te Puke Bowling Club, and throughout the Bay of Plenty he was always a welcome visitor at tournaments.

His widow, two sons (Dr Aitken Patterson, Auckand, and Mr W. J. Patterson. Tauranga) and two daugh ters (Mrs J. Phillips, Pongakawa, and Miss Jessie Patterson, Putaruru) remain to mourn their loss. The sincere sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to them in their bereavement.