OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 15, 16 October 1942, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR ALEXANDER ALLAN

In recording the death of Mr Alex Allan of Allandale, Whakatane, wc do so with feelings of the great-, est. respect for one who played, a prominent part in settling and establishing that area at Kopeopeo which is now the town's most populated section and. also one who was ever a keen and earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. Born in the little village of Harwick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, 73 years ago, he came to this country when but a lad of twelve years. The trip was made in the sailing vessel 'Westland' and occupied 86 days. The Allan family landed ,at Lyttelton in the South Island and settled at Waimate where the late Mr Allan received his subsequent education. As a young man he engaged in contracting in fencing, ploughing and other farm operations with his father and brothers, establishing a wide reputation in the district for his industry and energy. In 1911 Mr Allan who was then married came north with his young family and settled first in Hamilton. Shortly after he became interested in the Bay of Plenty and three years later bought up large properties on the Plains, and 120 acres in the Borough of Whakatane. He annexed at this time an area of 3000 acres at White Pine Bush and a further 400 acres at Te Teko. Settling in town with his family in the splendid homestead known as 'Allandale' in King Street he took an interest in local affairs by occupying a seat on the Whakatane Harbour Board and later serving as chairman for a term. With the coming of the slump, he disposed of his greater properties on the Plains and later subdivided a large section of his town property which he solcl as building sites. He was a man who enjoyed uniformly good health and had worked hard all his life up till two years ago when he removed to Auckland with his second wife and lived in retirement. He had many friends in Whakatane who will remember him for his genuineness and industry. He leaves a family of five Mrs D. G. Webb (Timaru), Mrs Donald Robertson (India), Mrs G. Allen (Dargaville), Mr Douglas Allan (Te Teko), and Mrs Jock Thomas (Te Teko). There are twelve grandchildren. MR DUDLEY Win. SPENCE It." is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr Dudley William Spence, of Edgecumbe, which occurred last Tuesday. The late Mr Spence was a prominent public man and farmer on the Plains. A full obituary will appear in Tuesday's issue.