Death Claims Early Settler Of Opouriao: Late Mr P. Keegan

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 91, 21 October 1947, Page 5

Death Claims Early Settler Of Opouriao: Late Mr P. Keegan

In the death of Mr P. Keegan this district sees the passing of another of its early and then well known settlers whose enterprise and courage laid the foundations on which its present prosperity has since been built. Mr Keegan was a worthy representative of New Zealand’s second generation of pioneers.

He was born in Akaroa where his father had settled in the early days, and was reared under the hard conditions of those times. As a young man he came to the North Island, and, being of a good physique took on bush felling, road making etc. in the Forty Mile Bush and back blocks of the Gisborne district, thence to Waihi where he took on the job of supplying mine props and firewood for the settlement from a block of country soon known as “Keegan’s Bush.”

Then, when the Opouriao Estate was opened up for settlement byballot under the recently introduced “Land for Settlement Act” of the Seddon Government, he made application for, and was successful in drawing a section, and soon became a well known and progressive settler developing his own property, and taking an active part in all matters affecting the settlement generally. He gave unstinted service to the community, serving many years as a County councillor, also as a farmer’s representative at many conferences. He was the founder of the present A. and P. Association,' and an enthusiastic member of the old Volunteer Corps. It was largely due to the persistency that the then Drill Hall was ultimately obtained from the Defence Department as a Public Hall for the settlement.! He was also largely interested in the local Freezing Works. On selling out his original interests in Opouriao he settled in the vicinity of Whakatane on a property known as “Strathmore.” Later, when the bad times of the early thirties came upon the country, Mr Keegan was caught in the full blast of that depression and lost everything except his light heart, indominitable courage, ready wit, and the respect and honest sympathy of all who knew him and his history. Undeterred, he challenged life anew, and started out in fresh fields, including National Politics. Although unsuccessfully politically he become organiser for the Farmers’ Union with a marked success, and then found occupation in many commercial channels until advancing years denied him further activities. Few men have had a more diversified career in civilian life than the late Mr Keegan, weathered the storm better, or gathered a greater knowledge of their country and countrymen. Life ■to him was a glorious adventure and he died as he lived, cheerfully anticipating his passing as only another experience—the greatest of all. He is survived by two sons, two daughters, several grandchildren and two great-grand-children.