OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 8, 25 September 1942, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR J. W. BOON

In the death of Mr Jos. Wedgwood Boon which occurred on Septembei J") after a brief illness the district has lost a resident who was highly respected and esteemed by a very wide circle of friends not merely in the Bay of Plenty but throughout Taranaki where he spent the greater part of his earlier life. Born at Kingsland, Auckland, sixty-nine years ago, he was the third son of the late Mr and Mrs Josiali Boon well known residents of the early-Auckland period. He was educated in Auckland and later went with his family to Taranaki. With his tw T o brothers he commenced as a young man a prosperous building and contracting business, Known as Boon Brothers. Thirty-six years ago however he decided to venture out independently and commenced building in a small way at Stratford. The new business, soundly administered and vigorously applied was quickly established, growing as time Avent on into the largest of its kind in the town. It was during this period that. Mr Boon commenced to show an eptitude for local body and public life. A keen member and worker for the Wesleyian Church he was described throughout Taranaki as one of its strongest pillars. He made a wealth of friends and as president of the A. and P. Association, he established a progressive district show and stock exhibition. He was also chairman of the Stratford School Committee when that body was largely responsible for the erection of the new Technical School. His greatest work however was in connection with local bodies. For ten years he served on the Borough Council of Stratford before finally he was elected Mayor. His term in office was marked by many ,progressive establishments and a general expansion of the town. As Chief Magistrate he took a prominent part in all activities of the town entering into the sporting life by active and prominent association with tennis, golf and football, as well as his civic duties. Six years ago lie retired and came north to take up in a more active manner the farm on the Rangitaitki in which he had had an interest with his brother, Mr W. R. Boon, lor twenty-seven years. The partnership dissolved when the late Mr Boon decided to carry on independ-

ently ancl establish liis own Jersey stud,. at "Clovcrfielcls"' which now has a wide reputation throughout tile dairying centres of the north. In partnership with his son-in-law, Mir Lcs Berg, a second area was purchased and the farm at White Pine Bush became a well known show place. Mr Boon became intensely interested in dairying and, though he did not figure in public life to any great extent, was a popular figure on the Whakatane Bowling greens and golf course. His friends in the north knew him for the same in-

tegrity and manliness which had won him so much respect in T'aranaki and the widespread regret at his passing was demonstrated by the largo assemblage which attended the funeral. He leaves a widow and a daughter (Mrs Les Berg). Two sons predeceased him, Wedgwood, six years ago after successful years of farming venture in this district and James, who died at the age of 18 years in Stratford, after a brief but promising career as an athlete and scholar. There are four grandchildren.