OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24880, 21 October 1942, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR M. R. LAWLOR Tire death of a well-known resident of Eastern Southland, Mr Michael Roche Lawlor, occurred at his home at Gore on Sunday. Mr Lawlor, who was 83 years of age, enjoyed comparatively good health till within two days of his death. Mr Lawlor was a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and he came to New Zealand when 22 years of age, landing at Bluff 61 years ago. He undertook contract ploughing in the Waimea district for a few years and later formed a partnership with the late Mr J. Y. Boult in a butchery business at Mandeville. After a period there he started a business of his own at Riversdale. In 1903 Mr Lawlor’s business premises and residence were destroyed by fire along with other buildings, and shortly after this he moved to Gore and bought the butchery business of Mr S. G. Inder, which was situated in Holland’s Arcade. Scarcely six months had gone by before the Arcade was swept by fire. Mr Lawlor then set up a temporary business, but fire again pursued him and the temporary premises were burned. Holland’s buildings were again erected and Mr Lawlor carried on business until 1914 in the shop now occupied by Briggs Bros. He then shifted to his farm at Charlton, which he had acquired some years previously, and in 1930 he retired to live at Gore. Mr Lawlor took a keen interest in the public welfare of Eastern Southland. He was a member of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association, occupying the position of president on various occasions. He was a foundation member of the Gore Trotting Club and he also had a long association with the Gore Racing Club. He was made a life member of both the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Gore Racing Club. He was also a member of the Gore Dog Trials Club and while at Riversdale he was a member of the Rifle Club. Many years ago Mr Lawlor founded a Romney Marsh stud and he competed with outstanding success as far afield as Christchurch. In 1891 he was married at Gore to Miss Alice Kelly, a daughter of the late Mr Nicholas Kelly, the ’’Grange,” Riversdale. He is survived by his wife and eight of a family.