OBITUARY

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 4 July 1913, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR D. J.McEWEN. Quite a shock was experienced by the community, this morning when it became bruited abroad that Mr D. J. McEwen had passed away suddenly at his residence on Thursday night. The first feeling of incredulity was quickly followed by one of profound regret and dismay at the loss to the district of its most prominent public man. It was as if a prop that supported a building had been suddenly removed. Residents generally had come to regard the late Mr McEwen as their counsellor-in-chief and his sudden death occasioned a feeling of great personal loss. It cannot be said that his demise was totally unexpected, for he had suffered from an affection of the heart, although latterly he appeared in excellent health. On Thursday he returned from a visit to Tauranga,- and after partakingof tea complained that he did not feel very well and would go to bed. At about ten o'clock Mrs McEwen went to the bedroom and asked her husband whether he would take any supper, receiving a reply in the negative. Som'e time later the occupants of the other room heard a slight noise, and on going into the bedroom found Mr McEwen beyond human aid. The deceased gentleman was so well-known owing to his lengthy connection with public bodies that his name was a household word throughout the entire district. His ability was unquestioned, and he was recog nised as an authority on all local matters. Well-read, possessed of a vast fund of information, and a ready speaker. Mr McEwen made an excellent chairman of a meeting or festive gathering, whilrt his social qualities made him a welcome guest everywhere. Mr McEwen was Chairman of Directors of the Bay of Plenty Dairy Association, an institution of which he was o .ie of the founders, Chairman of the Tauranga County Council, ex-Chairman of the Te Puke Road Board, member of the Harbor Board, and of the Charitable Aid Board, whilst he also took a lively interest in all matters pertaining to sport. He Was a native of Port Molyneux, South Island, and came to this Island 26 years ago, residing for some time at Helensville, North Auckland. Thirteen years ago he came to this district, and' engaged in farming and flaxmilling, at the same time taking an active interest (in all public matters. He leaves a widow and fanily of four—two sons and two daughters—to whom we, in common with the rest of the community, extend our heartfelt sympathy.