OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 2, 3 July 1939, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR. J. R. STRACHAN

In the death of Mr. J. R. Strachan, of T)erwent Street, Island Bay, New Zealand has lost another of her fastvanishing bands of pioneer surveyors. He was one of the first surveyors to undertake sub-division work in the North Waimaririo area at a time when the only access was by Maori track, and canoe 0n'.... the. upper reaches of the Wanganui River* before the Hatrick river boats ran as far as Taumarunui. The life meant isolation for months at a time, when pig dog and rifle were essential parts Lof the surveyor's equipment and when a surveyor had to act as medico on occasions. "J.R." had the faculty of getting the best out of - his men, and of always haying a good gang, and this was in large measure due to the lead he himself gave, as he never spared himself, and "was responsible for some fine work in difficult country and in a trying climate.

But he was best known to his friends for his kindliness and unselfishness. For instance, in the Easter of 1905 lie sacrificed the usual very welcome vacation from camp in order to make his camp available for four Government survey cadets whom lie assisted with the field work required for their surveyors' examination* He was an authority on astronomy, one of the examination subjects that troubled some candidates. Whilst in the field he was responsible also for settlement surveys in the Wairarapa and other parts of the Wellington land district. 11l health compelled him to retire from the position of Land Transfer Draughtsman in Wellington in 1923, and to live quietly; but his memory is dear to many who had the pleasure of his friendship.