EARLY SETTLER PASSES

Chronicle (Levin), 11 August 1947, Page 4

EARLY SETTLER PASSES

Death of Mr. Charles Nees .

With the passihg' of Mr.. Charles Nefes, of Manakau, vlhich occurred on . Saturdayi deatlt has reihoved yet ar. other link with the early settl'ement of the Hbrowh'enua distri'ct and particularly so in thfe setrlement of Manakati. Indeed he had seen the district transformed right from its primitive state into what it is today. The late Mr. Nees was born ih Christchurch in 1863 and came to reside in this district over 60 years 'agb. He commehced iri business as a builairig contractor and was responsible for the erection of many public buildings, including most "of the' first State schools froni Shanron sohthwards. He also built the Otaki Sanatorium. After carrying on his trade for a r umber of years, he relinquished it to "take up farming on the property noW owned by Mr. Marshall Miles at Manakau. Mr. Nees was of a kindly and unostentatious dispoSition, and it can truly be said that he never spoke an unkind word of anyone. He has pkssed after making a wonderful contribution to the district in which he lived. During his long residence he identified himself with every movement that was for the betterment of the place ih which he lived. At various - times he aeted as secret'ary of the Patriotic Society in World War I, Schuoi Committee, Football Club and many other organisations. He was a Justice of the Peace and for a number of years deputy returning officer. To have known him was one of life's good fortunes and the district is certainly the richer for his life. The late Mr. Nees married Miss Margaret Bevan, eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bevan, who pre'deceased him about a -year ago. Left to mourn their loss are two sors, William (Pahiatua) and Reginald (Wellington) , and one ddiighter, Mrs. G. S. Scott (Manakau) . Messrs. Dan (Eltham) , Harry (Masterton) and George NBes (Christchurch) are brothers and Mrs. Costello (Masterton) a sister.