CARTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1938, Page 9

CARTERTON

DEATH OF MR J. G. McDONALD. WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT. (“Times-Age” Special.) Very sincere regret was felt throughout the Wairarapa yesterday when news became known of the death of Mr John George McDonald, of High Street, Carterton, after a serious illness. The late Mr McDonald, who was well known as the manager of the Carrington (Carterton) and Longridge estates, had held his position for over 45 years. He took up the managership when the late Rev W. Booth held the whole estate, and continued when Mr W. Howard Booth in 1903 assumed ownership of the property. Before taking control at Carrington Mr McDonald was employed by the late Mr W. C. Buchanan (afterwards Sir Walter Buchanan) at “Tupurupuru,” Gladstone, for 14 years, and the experience he gained there , stood him in good stead throughout his long life in the control of stud sheep and cattle. In 1909 the major portion of the Carrington station was taken over by the Government for closer settlement, and it was then that Mr W. Howard Booth purchased the Longridge farm beyond Weraiti, which he still owns. The late Mr McDonald.was largely responsible for the prestige that stud stock from Carrington and Longridge holds throughout New Zealand, and the show performances and records over a period of years are a tribute to his knowledge and diligence in the care and breeding of stud animals. Sheepmen will recall how in the Exhibition year at Christchurch in 1906 sheep from Carrington beat allcomers in spite of the supposed claim of the superiority of Canterbury-bred animals to those from other centres. Mr McDonald was a keen supporter of the Wairarapa P. and A. Society, and a committeeman of many years’ standing. Another interest of the late Mr McDonald was his training of trial dogs for competitions at shows, and his record of successful performances with his famous dog “Merry Day,” besides several others, was a lengthy one. In addition to his managership positions, he took up an area of land at Westmere (adjoining Longridge) which is managed by his son-in-law, Mr Gordon Thomson. Mr McDonald was a keen supporter of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society and also a member of the Foresters’ Lodge for many years. Mr McDonald is survived by a widow and an adult family, including Mesdames Alex Southey (Eketahuna), Gordon Thomson (Westmere) and W. E. Arcus (Seddel Bahr, Martinborough). There are also eleven grand-' children. The only son, Sergeant John Frank McDonald, gave his life in the Great War, and a daughter also predeceased her father. The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving the residence after a short service commencing at 1.45 p.m., for the Clareville Cemetery. Scottish Evening. The Scottish evening organised by the ladies’ committee of the Wairarapa Pipe Band, held in the bandroom on Tuesday evening, proved very successful and enjoyable, and augmented the uniform fund to the extent of £B. A delightful programme given by local artists and members of the Masterton St Andrew Society was greatly appreciated. The programme was as follows: —Selection by the band:—Vocal solo, Mrs Silvester; vocal duet, Mrs Burke and Miss O’Donnell; humorous recitation, Miss Mitchell; pipe selection, Master Allan McKenzie Douglas; sword dance, Mrs R. Hall (accompanied by Mr Johns); humorous sketch, Mrs Miller; vocal solo, Mrs Worsfold; highland dance, Mrs R. Hall (accompanied by Mr Johns); vocal solo, Mr W. Mann; selection, Pipe Band. Mrs D. G. Johnston was the accompanist. Community singing under the leadership of Mr W. Mann concluded the programme, after which supper was ser” ed by the ladies of the committee f . the evening then continued with dancing, the music being supplied by Mrs Rogers and the band, while an extra was played on the pipes by Allan Douglas. Messrs W. H. and S. Hall acted as M’s.C., and during the dance programme exhibition dances were given by the visitors from Masterton. Personal. Mr and Mrs E. Hedley, Garrison Street, Carterton, have returned from a visit to Christchurch and Dannevirke. Mrs L. T. Harris, Victoria Street, Carterton, is at present staying with her mother in Dannevirke. Mr S. James, who has taken up an appointment with the Carterton District Co-operative Society is a keen worker in the interests of returned soldiers. He was president of the Takapuna R.S.A. Club and on leaving was presented with a gold watch. He was for many years associated with the Farmers' Trading Co., Auckland, and is a keen follower of football and cricket. POLITICAL ADDRESS. Mr J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Undersecretary, addressed a crowded meeting in the King's Theatre, Carterton, last night. The Mayor, Mr D. L. Taverner, presided and Mr B. Roberts, M.P., was also present. A resolution was passed expressing appreciation of Mr Lee’s magnificent work both as Under-Secretary in Charge of Housing and in the House of Representatives, and that “we record our unbounded confidence in Mr B. Roberts, as member for Wairarapa, who has so faithfully served all sections of the community during the past three years.” The resolution was carried amidst applause. Mr Lee defended the policy of the Labour Government during its term in office and directed criticism at the aims of the National Party. He was given an attentive hearing and was accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation. He will speak in Masterton tonight.