OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 73, 15 January 1947, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR F. J. SAVAGE The death of Mr Frederick James Savage, < which occurred near Taihape last week as a result of an accident, has removed yet another who could truly be described as one of the pioneers of this district. From a small and precarious beginning he built up one of the foremost stud farms in the Eastern Bay, and in later years was noted for the splendid types of pedigree horses which were produced on his wellknown ‘Tuhoe’ stud, at Waimana. The late Mr Savage was born at Christchurch 63 years ago. He was educated in that town and spent his youth and young manhood in farming pursuits in the Cheviot district. Shortly after marrying he came north and settled at Waimana in 1909, taking a lease of Bell’s property for three years. At the end of that time he acquired some 200 acres of land at Nukuhou, which in its rough state was covered in teatree and was regarded as useless by neighbouring settlers. By dint of. hard work systematic farming the place was broken in, and its owner set to work to build up a blood herd which would bring him some status in the dairy world. In 1928 he founded his well known ‘Tuhoe’ Jersey herd. With his two sons, Messrs. Ivan and Trevor Savage in active partnership, selected pedigree stock was exhibited at all the shows in the Bay of Plenty, going further afield to the Waikato and Poverty Bay where they competed with great success.

The Tuhoe Annual Bull Sales attracted wide attention, while the two displenishing sales held on the property likewise drew buyers from all over the North Island.

In 1937 the pedigree horse stud was founded. Commencing with the well known stallion Revelation, the stud flourished and was widely quoted. A later purchase, Pictavia, lent further fame to the establishment, while the stud also owns Orelio, a sire stationed at Palmerston North.

The late Mr Savage led a very full life, serving as a member of the Bay of Plenty Power Board from its inception until four years ago. He also served terms on the Whakatane Hospital Board, the County Council, and the Bay of Plenty Licensing Committee. He was chairman of the Nukuhou Cheese Factory and the Cheddar Valley Dairy Company’s directorates when those two ventures were operating. He was also a Justice of the Peace. He took a keen interest in sport and was for many years interested in the Waimana Football Club. During the war he was in charge of the Medical Section of the local E.P.S.

He leaves his widow, one son (Mr Ivan Savage, of Waimana), and a daughter (Mrs. D. Grey, of Taneatua). Another son, Mr Trevor Savage, was killed -in action in Italy during-World War 11. The funeral which took place at Taneatua last Saturday was one of the largest seen in that centre, and representatives from all parts of the Bay and beyond attended. The pallbearers were Messrs. G. Middlemas(Ruatoki), W. Addison (Waimana), T. Harland (Whakatane), R. Proffitt (Nukuhou), W. Luxton and Moxley (Hamilton).

MR W. J. BAXTER In the death of Mr Wm-. James Baxter, Whakatane lost a widely respected citizen of many years standing. Born at Falkland Fyffshire, Scotland, he lived to the age of 71 years. Quiet and unobtrusive, he had many friends in town and district, and was particularly popular on the bowling green. He was educated in the town of his birth, and as a young man worked in the Singer Sewing Machine factories in Glasgow. Thirty-five years ago he came out to the Dominion and was first employed in Renshaw’s Ironmongery establishment at Thames. Coming to Whakatane some four years later, he joined the staff of Mr Arthur Read’s business in Commerce Street, and twenty-five years ago finally accepted employment in Cutler’s Hardware, where he remained until two years ago, when his failing health enforced his retirement: The late Mr Baxter was a keen member of the Caledonian Society, an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of man}', years standing, and a life member of the Bowling Club.

He leaves a widow and three children, Mrs Harry Armstrong, and Miss May Baxter of Whakatane, and Mr Jock Baxter, of Takapuna, Auckland. Another son, Mr Evan Baxter of this town, predeceased him by three years. There are fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.