CLEVEDON.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 141, 4 February 1916, Page 3

CLEVEDON.

DEATH OF ME GEO. MUNRO. One of the very oldest residents of Clevedon in the person of Mr George Munro passed away to the Great Beyond last week. He was in his ninitieth year and had been resident in New Zealand for over 60 years, at least fifty of which he spent at Clevedon. He was a native of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, but previous to coming to New Zealand had spent some years on the Austra! ian goldfields. It is said that one of his first works in New Z?aland was to assist in the erection of the old windmill in Auckland. He later took up land at Clevedon and an interesting story is told concerning his experiences at the time of the Maori War. The Waikato Maoris were in the vicinity of Clevedon and had fortified themselves in the hills whilst the settlers were located in a stockade on McNicol's estate. Mr Munro's estate was near the stockade and one morning hearing firing he proceeded to investigate and found that the Maoris were firing at the stockade. He proceeded back to get a boy who was working with him but when he returned to the stockade with the boy the Maoris had left their place of concealment and had proceeded by a circuitous route to Mr Munro's homestead which they raided. Furniture was smashed, all the feathered livestock oh the place was killed and the blood of these was mixed with cream and shaiks oil with which they had bespatted the house. It is affirmed that this was done to endeavour to terrify the white settlers. Previous to this a boy, Archie McNicol, who still owns a farm at Clevedon, was fiied on by the Maoris who were in ambush waiting for the Europeans. Until that occasion it was not known exactly where the natives were located and it was the firing of the shot thas was the cause of their ultimate retreat towards the Waikato. It was on the journey to the Waikato that the Maori force, which was part of the main body, killed everybody they came across and did considerable damage. The deceased leaves a widow, seven sons—Messrs Robert (Pokeno), Hector (Taranaki), John (Clevedon), George (Hawiiun Islands), Hugh (Clevedon), James (Hawiian Islands), and Charles (Queensland) and two daughters —Mrs J. McKenzie (Helensviile) and Mrs G. Gouldrey (Northcote). He had also 45 grandchildren, six of which have gone to the war, and one of whom, Eobert William, a son of Mr John Munro, of Clevedon, has been killed.

Most of the season's harvesting operations in the Clevedon district are now completed, and although no extensive crops can be recorded, yet the small paddocks of oats and hay have been particularly heavy. Labour was difficult to procure, but nevertheless the farmers by assisting one another have overcome the difficulty. Mr S. Smith, who has enlisted, will leave for camp next week. The returns of the local butter factory compare favourably with those for the corresponding period of last year, and a record season is expected both as regards quantity and price. For the December month Is 2d per lb butter-fat, inclusive of cartage, was paid. A substantial bonus can be expected if the season continues favourable.

Dr Hallen, with his family, has left Clevedon on a well-earned holiday, which will be spent at the Great Barrier.