DEATH OF SIR DOUGLAS MacLEAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3905, 9 February 1929, Page 2

DEATH OF SIR DOUGLAS MacLEAN.

Naipier, February 8. The death occurred to-day of Sir (Robert Donald) Douglas MacLean, only son of the late Sir Donlaid Mac Leon, K.C.M.G. Deceased was born in Wellington in 1852 and spent most of his early years in Napier. He was educated at Auckland and Clifton College, England, and called to Bar in England, but did not practice, returning to the Dominion to take up pastoral pursuits.

His Maraekakabo station is recognised as a model New Zealand station. He iwas the Dominion’s foremost breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Welsh ponies and one of file leading breeders of draught horses, Lincoln, English, Leicester and Merino sheep, with all of which many championships and prizes innumerable have been Avon.

In his younger days, Sir Douglas Avas a good all-round athlete, running, swimming, cycling, rowing, football and polo being amongst the sports at Avhieh he Avas successful.

He was a noted 'cyclist and Avas the first to cross the Rimutakas to Masterton and to ride from Wellington on a high wheel bicycle. An enthusiastic footballer,"he played in the first games under Rugby rules in the North Island at Wellington.

In a public capacity, Sir Douglas represented Napier in Parliament from 1896 to 1899. He has been chairman of the H.B. 'County Council, served on the H.B. Rabbit Board, H.B. Education Board and H.B. Central River Board, while he was also connected prominently with the Navy League, being a member of the executive and vice-chair-man in London. During the Avar he was a member of the executive committee of Walton Military hospital and the N.Z. War Contingents Association, besides serving on and being a liberal contributor to other war organisations.

He married in 1884 a daughter of the late Mr. T. Butler-Storey, of Tipperary, Ireland. His only son died a few years ago as the result of Avar service. He leaves a AvidoAV, Lady Mac-Lean, and two daughters.