EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 438, 20 May 1937, Page 4

EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

MR WILLIAM Met. KENNEDY Settler And Citizen "I have come to wish you many happy returns on your birthday, was the form of greeting Mr W. McL. Kennedy received this morning when he opened the door of his residence in Broadway stouth to an old friend who was given a warm welcome. Mr Kennedy is well-known throughout Taranaki and the Dominion as a splendid type of tettler and citizen, who has taken a prominent part in the pioneering work of Stratford and surrounding districts. His record as.' a member of local bodies is unique, having been associated with almost every movement affecting the life of the people since his arrival in Taranaki. in the ’nineties. To.day he received many congratulatory messages from friends aaid well-wishers in the town and province. Mr Kennedy was born on May 20, 1857, at Cross House, on the banks of the river Bann, in the County of Antrim, Northern Ireland, being a member of the. Cadet branch of the Ayrshire Kennedy family. He received his education at the local school until he was seventeen years of age and- later in Scotland. To the ‘'Central Press” to.day he remarked that he was keen to go to America, but eventually decided' on New Zealand, where, he was told, there was plenty of opportunity for a young man if he was prepared to work hard. He came out in the sailing ship Napier as a third-class passenger, being 400 passengers aboard. On the voyage a little paper, “The Neptune,” was published by a third-class passenger, and it caused such comment that the first-class passengers started opposition with the “Napier Ocean Times,” and he (was asked to contribute, thus laying the foundation of the many articles, I particularly on the subject of Heral- ! dry, contributed to the Press of New Zealand in later years.

The voyage lasted ninety days, and the Napier her hed at Port Chalmers in August, 1870. He went to Timaru to his uncle, his only relative in the country, where he was engaged in farm work. An incident that occurred then is worthy of mention. A policeman egme to the farm seeking him, and said: "I want you for a juryman. A Chjnaman has been killed!" He duly took his place on the jury, and had an interesting experience, the verdict being one of “accidental death." This was his first work in connection with the jury system, and it was to develop into an important part of his service to the (country, as for the last ten years he h.as presided over many similar inquests as Coroner. Arrival in Taranaki. From Timaru he went to Auckland and managed a store for nine months, until appointed 'to manage a timber business in Hawena. After seven years he started a sawmill at Eltham. At the time he was offered 400 acres for £lOO on the cast side of what is now the town of El ham. but he did not take it up. He acquired a farm Rotokare and lived in Eltham, taking an interest in tne life of the settlement, as shown by the fact that he was l appointed a trustee of the first public hall built there. In March, 1892, Mr Kennedy moved to Toko, starting a sawmill in con-

junction with Messrs Mersdith and Howe, Who also had a mill at Strathmore A fire destroyed the mill, but he rebuilt it and later sold the business. Hit son, Mr R. G. Kennedy,' having decided to farm at Tahora, he purchased land in that district. Mr Kennedy was active in endeavouring to have a railway laid down from Toko to Stratford a s the roads were in an impassable condition. It is said that there is now no record of the number of bullornct that became bogged and died on the road to Stratford. Mr Kennedy lost seven at least. A commit'ee was appointed with all the powers conferred by the Tramways Act, 1894. Of the nine members of that’ h e is the only one alive to-day. But the Government of the day would not grant them a license to construct the tramway. However, the movemen was the means of drawing attention

to the good grade for a railway, and undoubtedly had a good effect with the authorities. l when choosing the route from Stratford for the beginning of the Main Trunk line, instead of from Toko as originally surveyed. A Proud Record. Since coming to live in retirement t Stratford, Mr Kennedy has been dosely associated wi h most progress movements, and, as he said himself, he has been a member of almost every local body with the exception of the Borough Council. He was a member of the Education Board from 1900 to 1914, in the latter year making a trip to the Old Countary and Amrica; member of the Licensing Bench, 1900-3; Stratford Hospital Board for 15 years, the last eight of which he was chairman, when he retired; trustee of the Efficiency Board in the Great War; president of the County Settlers’ Association; member of the Whangamomona County Council, and one of the .founders of the Rabbit Board; member of the council of the Taranaki Justices of the Peace Association, and for years vice-presi-dent and chairman of the Stratford branch; still a member of the East Egmont Committee after eleven years—and an honorary forest ranger; one of the founders of the Scottish Society, and a member for eight years; member of the A. and P. Association since its inception; member of the Chamber of Commerce and many years on the executive and vice-president; hon. member of the Legion of Frontiersmen; a foundation member of the Stratford Aero Club; captain on the old Toko and Tahora Rifle Clubs; J.P. and coroner for New Zealand; besides other local bodies, especially at Toko and the country districts, where his services as an organiser and worker were much appreciated. In 1884 Mr Kennedy married Miss Jessie Meredith, daughter of Mr G. R. Meredith, of Geraldine, South Island, and there iti one son, Mr R. G. Kennedy, who, with his wife and small son, is at present at the parental home tor the happy family gathering.