Heath of an old Colonist.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 105, 9 April 1885, Page 3

Heath of an old Colonist.

: [Napier Tehgraph ] We regret to record the uenth of Mr It. D. Maney, who had boon suffering from a severe attack of dysentery, and apparently diod from exhaustion. The deceased was a remarkable man, aud for many years not the least prominent m Ifawke's Bay. Arriving at Wellington some thirty years ago, lie settled m Napier about the year 1859-60, and m his trade of carpenter was reputed the smartest shiugler m the colony. As kindly hearted as he was conscientious m his workmanship Mr Maney nursed j through a severe illness a Mr Powles, who had erected and carried on the Meanee Hotel. Subsequently Mr Maney entered into partnership with Mr. Powles, :who, on dying, left the property to him. "Dick Maney's" name then became as tainiliar as a household word, and m the common mispronunciation of the word Meaucc it was generally thought that the township was named after the. hospitable aud liberal host of the hotel. ', .Mr Maney cut up his land into . town sections, established weekly sheep, cattle, and horse sales, aiid made Meanee a bustling .place and a centre of attraction. He was elected a member of the Provincial Council, and was for many years chairman of the committee.. Possessing considerable influence with the natives, Mr Maney became a most successful negotiator frr the purchase of their lands, and but few blocks of country were, bought from the Maoris except through him. Through his means some of the finest estates m Hawke's Bay became the properties of their present owners ; he kept little for, himself. He was then reported to be worth a quarter of a million of money; ; In 1875 he stood for the House of Representatives, but being connected with contracts for the supply of railway sleepers to the Government, he was disqualified, and retired. Front that year his speculations, which were both bold and numerous, seemed 'to fail, and his enormous obligations to the Bank gradually stripped him of his landed possession*. Undaunted at his fa? lure he entered into further land speculations m the Wairoa; district, but these also were not very-... successful, and, we fear; of all the we«lth and influence he once possessed, he' left little behind him for his aged, mother and numerous family. Jn reply to Dr Hitehings why he had not called for'mcdical aid, he said he ".did not want to bother the doo tors." His mother was with, him to thci last. , ■