DEATH OF JAMES LIVINGSTONE

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 2456, 8 May 1915, Page 3

DEATH OF JAMES LIVINGSTONE

DARING AND RESOURCEFUL PIONEER, Mr. James Livingston, one of tin: earliest settlers in Hawera, has passed away in that town yesterday at the age of 74 years, states a Press Association message. Quite recently the occupants of the Tokaora Block of land, near the mouth of the Waingbngoro River, sold by Mr. Livingston to the Government, assembled to do him honour, and he then appeared in the best of health. The deceased gentleman came from a good old Scottish stock near Edinburgh, and some years ago he paid a visit there after an absence of forty-seven years. During that visit he had a bad attack of bronchitis, and he has had recurring attacks since then, but otherwise has enjoyed very good health. He arrived in Auckland at the ago of sixteen, and found work so difficult to get that he went to Hawke's Bay, .where he was employed as shepherd by Colonel Russell, father of the late Sir William Russell, eventually attainingto the post of manager. He married Miss Caldwell, of Napier, who died about twenty years ago. Mr. Livingston shared in,the ups and downs of colonial life, and was with Major Von Tempsky at the battle of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Had it not been for his bußhcraft, cool-headedness, and bravery ill leading those who were not killed to a place of safety, there would have been few left to tell the tale. There was no gift that his fellow-settlers had the power of bestowing that would not have been readily accorded to him, and on several occasions he was besought to contest the Parliamentary electorate. Ou one occasion the late Sir Harry Atkinson offered to find another constituency if Mr. Livingston came forward against him, but he was too modest a man to seek political or other favours. He took a turn now and again on the Hawera Road Board, and when Mr. Ballance was Minister of Lands 'he afn pointed him a member of the Taranaki Land Board. During troublous times the Hawera people, failing -to get Constabulary protection from Sir George Grey, formally proclaimed a Republic, and by unanimous consent Mr. Livingston was declared President. But he was no demagogue, and was only too glad to get back to his farm as soon as the Maoris ceased ploughing his land. He waß driven off by the Nativos on itwo occasions, and his herds and flocks taken away and slaughtered, but he bore no animosity, and the Maoris always had I in him a good friend. _ His hospitality | knew no bounds, and his door wa3 ever 'open to the stranger. _ Of late years he took a keen interest in the Maori War veterans, and many of them would have gone without recognition had it not been for his persistent endeavours on their behalf. Sir. Livingston, who was married a second time to the eldest daughter of the late Captain Brett, of Norroanby, is survived by three sons and two daughters.