Sudden Death of Mr McLennan.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 24 November 1891, Page 2

Sudden Death of Mr McLennan.

-♦_ On Sunday afternoon the sad news reached town that Mr John Me Lennan of the Oroua Downs was dead. The news created a shock, as the deceased^ gentleman was well known aud exceedingly liked by all in this district. The facts are simply these : that early in the week Mr and Mrs ft! c Lennan left their home to attend the Wellington Show,, and, on leaving, Mr McLennan remarked that he had not felt better for months. On Friday he attended the sale, of pedigree stock and purchased jnne rams, but not feeling well, onjffiprefcurn to the Occidental hotel weifcto bed. Dr. Martin was sent for imd attended him to the last. His illness did not appear serious at first, • but early on Saturday m»rning the symptoms were much worse, and in the afternoon he passed away. His son and daughters went to Wellington on Monday morning by the first train to attend the funeral which took place yesterday afternoon. Mr McLennan leaves a widow, one son, and four daughters. One of the daughters is married to Mr John Pascal of Awahurj, but they are now paying a visit to Mr Pascal's relatives in France. The cause of death was aneurism of the aorta. The deceased had not been well for the last two years, but such a sudden and early death was most unexpected. The widow and children have our most respectful sympathy in the loss they have experienced. Mr. John McLennan was one of the best known settlers on this coast for the past 13 years, that being about the time he entered upon the manage, ment of the Oroua Downs estate Iqft/ the late Hon. R. Campbell. He at*, once identified himself with the pro« gress of the district, outside of the good he did by the large im* provements carried out upon the. property under his charge, and the improvement in the quality of the stock kept therein. He early ob« " tamed a seat "Ift the Mahawatu County Council, and materially as. sisted in obtaining the tramway between Carnarvon and Sanson . He was one of the promoters oi the A and P Shows at Palmerston, as well as of the Longburn Freezing Works. At every election he displayed great interest and consistently supported the present Member. .-% bout seven years ago he was gazetted a Justice of the Peace, The deceased was held in high respect by all who had worked for him, and it was a matter of much regret both to these employees as well as to his neighbrurs and friends that he had to be laid to rest, before they had an opportunity of paying him the respect of following his remains. We had many enquiries as to where he would be likely buried, on Monday morning and the enqniriers much regretted the impossibilty of their being able to attend. It reads odd, that some 80 years ago, Mr McLennan was ordered to leave .*• cotland to save his life, and told to seek a warmer climate. Acting on such instructions he went to Australia, but finding the climate too hot, left for this colony. He landed in Otago and acted as manager for Dr Webster's station at Kakanui and for the meat preserving works near Oamaru. On leaving these he came up to Carnarvon. The deceased was born at Rosshire Scotland, and was 59 years of age. About six months ago the deceased completed the purchase of the unsold portion of the Oroua Downs Estate, some 11,000 acres, with the idea of settling down as a landowner amongst us. We have sat beside the deceased for many years at th» County Council, and had therefore the opportunity of noticing the true interest he 'took in the developement of the County. He was not a speaker but his sound sense was always seen and appreciated by his colleagues. Though quiet, he yet managed to wield an influence in all assemblages of settlers, the outcome of their acknowledgement of the thorough information he had in all that re^id to the interests of the farmer and grazier. He is gone, so may we all go, leaving behind a name for true grit, uprightness and push, with ne'er an eneuiy arid, a host of friends. 1 r} « /''V* .