THE LATE DR. ROCKSTROW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1104, 3 June 1913, Page 2

THE LATE DR. ROCKSTROW.

In our last issue we referred to the passing of the late Dr. Rockstrow, once a well-known figure in Foxton. The deceased passed away quietly in his sleep. Notwithstanding his advanced age, 79, he was fairly robust in health, and his intellect was keen and alert. Deceased in many ways was a remarkable personality, whose many excellent qualities were perhaps better known to the earlier inhabitants of the district, and most highly appreciated by those who lived here in the pioneering days, when unselfishness and self-denial were expected of men. Many an old resident will tell of the feats of physical endurance, the long rides over roadless tracts, through interminable bush, of the deceased when called to attend some sufferer. Dr. Rockstrow was born Jin Prussia, and came to the Colony early iu life. The earliest days he spent on the West Coast and at Nelson. In ,1873 he was invited by Sir William Fox, then Premier, to settle in Foxton, and; as an inducement be was commissioned to act as medical officer to the Natives along the Coast, from Horowhenua to Rangitikei. It was an enormous district to cover; the roads were extremely bad at certain seasons of the year, and swamps and heavy bush iad to be traversed. But Dr. Rockstrow was always faithful to bis trust. Many now living in this district owe their existence to the care with which he attended their parents and grandparents. To the Maori also he administered, and he acquired immense. influence over the chiefs. Inducements were offered him to settle in Palmerston, but he preferred Foxton', both for its centrality and its promise of greater things. He entered into the public life of Foxton, and filled from time to time most of the important public offices in the town. He was a debater of considerable ability and his keen wit, vigor, and great intellectual capacity made men seek him rather as a friend than an enemy.

About 25 years agp be removed with his family to ’ Palmerston, where he practised his profession. For some years also he was Coroner. He was honoured by all who knew him though he was slow to seek friendship. Few men possessed a better knowledge of world politics, or had a deeper acquaintance with most political questions. He continued to follow very closely German development and German politics, and be frequently was beard to deplore the tendency to misunderstand his native country.