COACHING VETERAN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 24 May 1947, Page 6

COACHING VETERAN

OLD PACK-TEAM DAYS MR. FRED. M. NEWEY The death of Mr. Frederick Montague Ncwty, wnicn occurred on Tnuisduy, will have been noted with deep regret by the many res.dents of the Gisborne and Fast Coast district who _ formerly knew Mr. Newey as a skilful and experienced driver on the main routes over a long period. He was highly popular with the travelling public ana in times when a coach-driver had to contend with poor road conditions anci dangerous lords he was recognised as a man of outstanding perseverance and resource. Mr. Newey was born in 1579 in Oamaru, and came to the Gisborne district as a young lad. For a time he lived in Tolaga Bay, then an isolated village with almost no communications apart from those provided by sailingvessels plying on the East Coast, and later came to Gisborne and took employment with Mr. W. McKinley. The latter operated a mail and light freight service from Gisborne to Wairoa, via Tiniroto, and at the outset the service was carried on by means of pack-teams on mere bridle-tracks. Later Mr. Newey worked on the East Coast road, which mainly followed the beaches, and he was known to every resident between Gisborne and Tuparoa. East Coast Hotel License When coaches were substituted for pack-teams on the district routes he showed himself as expert in the handling of these vehicles as with the teams, and after Mr. McKinley disposed of his business Mr. Newey transferred first to-the staff of Mr. J. Sinclair and later to that of Mr. J. R. Redstone, successive owners. After 25 years in the coaching line he took up the license of an East Coast hotel for some time, but later again he returned to Gisborne and was employed by the Gisborne farmers' Frozen Meat and Mercantile Company. Limited. After some years he went into the carrying business on his own account and continued until his retirement. He leaves a widow, formerly Miss Ellen A. Rathbone, Auckland, and three daughters, Mrs. W. Hart, Coromandel, Mrs. G. Algie. Gisborne, and Mrs. M. Tinkler, Gisborne, to mourn their loss. There are nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.