Noted Citizen And Rugby Personality Dies

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1948, Page 4

Noted Citizen And Rugby Personality Dies

JOHN W.

P.

MR.

PROCTER

■ It .is with regret that the passing is recorded of Mr, John William Pemberton Procter, of Hokio Beach Road, Levin, a poted rugby personality and' a citizen who, during his 45 year^ in Levin, 'has done much in furtherancd of sport and the cause of education. Mr. Procter died at the residence of his daughter," Mrs, C. A, Ginders, of Paremata, with whom he ,;vas spending a 'holiday. He was 86 years of age. Mr, and Mrs. Procter came to Leyin in 1903, Mr. Procter taking up his trade in a painting and paper-hanging business which he. Opened and carried on for several years. Later he entered into farrm ing pursuits on' the Beach Road property where they have lived ever since, With the deyelopment of the distriet, Mr. Procter gave his services freely to all sporting bodies, but his preference was for rugby football, to v/hich sport he rendered outstanding and valuable service. He was held in high regard by the Dominion's present Governor-G.eneral, Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., ''who affectionately titled him "Lord Rugby." In August of last year Mr. and Mrs. Procter celebrated their diamond wedding, over 130 attending a function to mark the occasion. From friends far and near came affectionate felicitations, among which was a' greeting from Sir Bernard Freyberg. Mr. Procter, who was the eidest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jdhn Procter, was born at Picton in 1863, • and when eight years of age removed with his parents to Wellington, where he learnt the painting and paper-hanging trade, In 1876 he moved to ... Foxton and almost immediately went to the Rangitikei distriet to train horses for the late Mr. Donald Fraser. From there he went to Wanganui and was engaged by the late Mr. H. N. Harrison, Following the same work, Mr.. Procter returned to Parawanui (near Bulls) and was associated with the late Mr, D. Scott in the breaking in of the two well-known gallopers of that day, Ahua and Lady Artiste. Mxj Procter's next employment was as stockman with the late Mr. F. B, Larkworthy on the Carnavon Estate at Parawanui, where he stayed for some eight years;

gradually rising to the position of loreman. It was during this time that he was married. After their wedding. in 1887, and incidentally Mrs. Procter was the first white girl to be married in this distriet, Mr. and. Mrs. Procter spent their honeymoon in Wellington and then returned to the Carnarvon Estate, at> Parawanui, to reside. A short time afterwards the Bank of New Zealand assumed control of several estates and in 1890 Mr. Procter was appointed manager of the Kakari Estate, in the Wairarapa distriet, and they moved tbere. Subsequently they were transferred to the Awamati Estate at Wairoa, and after three years' service there, Mr. Procter severed his conneetion with the Bank of New Zealand. In .1896 Mr. and Mrs, Procter went into 'hotel 'ownership and during the succeeding seven years they had the Railway Hotel at Turakina, the Waitotara Hotel, the Red Lion in Wanganui and -the Club in Marton. On coming to Levin in 1903, the 4ate Mr. Procter joined the Levin Racing Club in its early days as a steward, and a few years ago was elected one of its life members in recognition of his sterling assistance. To serve on the Levin School Committee for over 20 years was another of the late Mr. Procter's outstanding records. He took a great interest in the welfare of the children and the condition of the school grounds, and it was said of him by a well-known citizen yesterday that when he first met Mr. Procter he thought he was the earetaker of the school, as he was always working in the grounds and personally .making improvements.' ~ ' Perhaps his greatest attraction was to rugby football, he being a pioneer of the sport and a life. inember of the Wan.derers Club. iHe was elected to the management committee of the . " Horow'henua Rugby Union in 1906, serving in every possible position on that body - except as selector. For his outstanding work on that body he was unanimously elected a life member in 1930. The loss of such an outstanding citizen will be deeply felt throughout the distriet. A quiet, unassuming man, 'he nevertheless soon gathered aroupd him a host of friends and admirers, and was deeply respected by all, with whom he came in contact. He leaves a widow, four sons, Messrs. F. S. P.

Procter (Kerikeri), C. G. S. Procter (Paraparaumu), J. S. Procter (Levin) , and W. R. S. Procter (Levin), and two daughters, Mesdames C, A. Ginders (Paremata) and S. Hinton (Auckland). There are also 19 grandchildren and nine great-grand-children.