Hal Manson

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 42, 7 April 1987, Page 4

Hal Manson

The Waimarino mourns the loss of a wellknown and highly respected Raetihi man who died suddenly on 30 March, the day before his 77th birthday. Henry Paton Manson, known simply as Hal, was a farmer in the Waimarino sincethe 1930's. Hal Manson was the only son of Henry J. Manson, CMG, who was the New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Melbourne. Hal was educated at Scotch College in Melbourne and after a period with a stock and station agency, trained as a jackeroo (farm cadet). In the 1930's he immigrated to New Zealand to take over management of his

father's farm here in the Waimarino. Hal managed and later owned the sheep and cattle farm 'Mangaone' on Pipipi Road, just north of Raetihi. For many years Hal also managed another family farm in the Feilding area. He and a close friend, the late W.C. Wilson, were primarily responsible for keeping the Waimarino Golf Club alive throughout World War II. Hal was a life member of the golf club. He was a very vibrant, active member of the community and was involved in many organisations, Hal was a foundation member of the Manawatu/Wanganui Eagles golfing society and was past president and one of the few life members of the New Zea-

land society. For more than 40 years he was a member of the Wanganui/ Rangitikei Catchment Board and served the area well. He was a charter member of the Ohakune/ Raetihi Rotary Club and a life long member of the Masonic Lodge. He was widely known as a first class speaker and raconteur which must have been an advantage during his time with the Raetihi Dramatic Society, of which he was a prominent member. Hal Manson's friends and associates will remember him as a man of high values and as someone who valued integrity and loyalty to one's fellows above all else. He is survived by his wife Laurene.