OBITUARY.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 54, 20 October 1911, Page 2

OBITUARY.

WILLIAM NORTH. , Aged 69 Years. The ranks of our pioneer settlers and most esteemed residents are gradually thinning. To-day it is with profound regret that we chronicle the death of Mr Wtn."' North, which occurred at his lat£--residence on Wednesday morning. For the last nine months Mr North has been more or less ailing. Some few weeks ago his '*■ illness became more serious, and confined him to his bed. It was not until about teri days ago that there was any cause for alarm, and even until a week before his death hopes were entertained for his recovery. At this stage complications set in,«which ultimately resulted in his death. The late Mr North and family arrived in Auckland by the good ship Dillarie in 1874, and for the three years immediately following, resided at Mechanic's Bay, Auckland, during which time he engaged in brick-making. Irt 1879 ne settled at Te Rahu where, for 6 years, he continued his brick making business. He then moved in to Te Awamutu, his home and brickyards then being near the Railway station. After some years of residence here he purchased the property on which ne resided until, the tirrfe of his decease. At that time this land was covered with ti-tree, and for a considerable area was an impassable swamp, a portion of which was a lake some sixty acres in extent. Among many other successful contracts, Mr North made the bricks for the Poro-o-tarao tunnel, which work he carried out successfully. Throughout his life he took great interest in municipal affair?, and was a member of .the'Te Awamutu Town Board and the Te Awamutu School Committee, being at one time chairman of the former. In this direction he always worked consistently fcr the advancement of the town and Te Awamutu can ill afford to lose so conscientious a public man. For some years he was ' assessor for the Government Valuation Department. Through his energy and perseverance the Mangahoe Drainage Board was - formed and carried thraugh, with so much benefit to the district. Mr North was chairman of this Board practically since its inception. In connection with drainage matters he discovered and patented a poison for the extermination of willows, and it is to this discovery that the successful work of the Board is largely due. Other districts besides our own have benefitted by Mr North's valuable discovery. He was a member of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge, M.U., 10.0. F., of Auckland for 36 years, and. a A' trustee of the Loyal Te Awamutu?*

Lodge of the same order since its formation. He was also interested in the Masonic Order being a member of Lodge Waipa. He took a deep interest in church matters, arid ; was circuit steward of the local Methodist Church. He leaves a widow and a grown up family of 5 sons and 7 daughters to mourn their loss. Mr North's first wife pre-deceased him by some nine years: