OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1942, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR DUNCAN McLACHLAN. The -death occurred on Saturday of Mr Duncan McLachlan, a well-known resident of the Wairarapa district. The late Mr McLachlan, who was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Donald McLachlan, was born in 1855 at Akitio, where his father was managing the property of the late Sir Donald McLean. When he was eight years old his parents moved fr’om Akitio to Masterton and he was carried here by a Maori on horseback. Later the family built at “Tirohonga” a home made from timber pit-sawn on the property and nearby the house was the old Maori track down which the Hauhaus used to travel to the pah at Matapihi. This home has long since been washed away by the Ruamahanga River. His education commenced at the home of Mr Bruce in Kopuaranga. From there he went to a private school conducted by. Mr Dougal McLachlan at Moroa. On the death of his schoolmaster his education was completed at his own home by the Presbyterian minister who called once a month, setting him lessons and correcting them on his next' visit. Mr McLachlan carried on farming with his father at the old home until his father retired to the Upper Plain. Mr Duncan McLachlan married Miss Lucy Welch of “Willow Park” and continued to farm “Tirohonga” until 1911, when he sold it and purchased “Willow Park,” where he founded the well-known “Willow Park” Southdown stud flock. In the meantime he purchased property at “Reef Hill,” Mt. Bruce, and when his sons took oyer “Willow Park” he went to “Reef Hill” and farmed it with his son Douglas. Here he remained until shortly before his death.

Always keenly interested in sporting activities and local bodies, he was a past president and a life member of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, a past president and a life member of the Masterton Racing Club, a foundation member of the Opaki Rifle Club, a past patron of the Masterton Gun Club, a foundation member of the Wairarapa Power Board, a former member of the Masterton County Council, and a member of the Thistle Masonic Dodge. For a great many years he was also a member of the Opaki School Committee. He was in former days a playing member of the Masterton Football Club and gained representative honours. He was an outstanding forward. He was for many years vicepresident of the Red Star Football Club and one of his sons, Mr Percy McLachlan, played for years for the club’s senior team and was also a Wairarapa representative, being one of the best all round players the district has produced. The late Mr McLachlan was a distinguished rifle shot in the Masterton Volunteers and later in Opaki Rifle Club. In this club he distinguished himself by winning the Wairarapa championship.

One of his main hobbies in his youth was wild cattle hunting in the bush and he could tell many thrilling tales of his adventures. He was very fond of music and at dances in the old days he used to play the violin for extras.

As a neighbour and a settler he was always ready to help those in need or distress and he and his wife were so hospitable that their home was known as the “Halfway House.” His wife and two sons, Leslie and Ernest, predeceased him and he is survived by three sons, Messrs Percy of “Willow Park,” Norman of “Pine Grove,” Douglas McLachlan of “Reef Hill,” and four daughters, Mrs Kemble Welch, of Masterton, Mrs L. W. Howard, n of Hastings, Mrs L. R. Wilton, of “Tirohonga” and Mrs D. G. Stewart, of Wellington. There are twenty-six grandchildren and three great-grand-children. The funeral took place this afternoon. MRS C. E. JOHNSTON. Mrs Mabel Amelia Johnston, wife of Mr Charles Elliott Johnston, of 52 Cornwall Street, died yesterday moi’ning at the age of 59 years. The late Mrs Johnston was born at Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Central Otago, and came to the North Island 35 years ago, taking up her residence in Masterton about 1912. Seven years ago’ she took over “Chequers” Guest House, Renall Street.- The late Mrs Johnston was well known in Masterton and district and was held in high respect by all who knew her. Owing to ill-health she retired from “Chequers” last December.

The late Mrs Johnston is survived by a husband and two daughters, Mrs M. Greville, Papatoetoe, and Miss Ethel Johnston, Masterton. The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving the Chapel of Hyde’s Funeral Service Ltd., following a service at 2 p.m. for the Masterton Cemetery.

MR J. H. T. PERCY.

The death occurred in a private hospital in Wellington .last night of Mr

Joseph Hewlett Thomas Percy, of "Dursley,” Bideford, after a short illness. , f The late Mr Percy, who was a son U the late Mr and Mrs H. J. Percy, of 3 e Ore Ore, had resided practically all his life either at Te Ore Ore or Bideford. His parents were among the pioneer settlers of Te Ore Ore. In association with his brother Frank he farmed “Tividale,” Bideford, and did much o transform it from a bush section into a profitable farm property. Later he took over “Dursley,” Bideford, where he had resided ever since. His residence there suffered so severely in the recent earthquake that it was lendered uninhabitable, and for that reason he was staying for the time being with lus daughter in Wellington. The late Mr Percy, who was of a genial disposition and of a generous nature, was keenly interested in all district activities, including sport in its various forms. In his earlier, days he played Rugby. The Bideford. Golf Club’s links are established on his property. He took a great interest in rifle shooting. A widow, two sons, Messrs Clarence J. Percy, “Tividale,” Bideford, and William H. Percy, “Waterfalls,” and three daughters, Mesdames J. G. Brown, Auckland; M. W. Wilson, Wellington, and G. O. Craike, Hastings, are left to mourn their loss. One son died some years ago. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, leaving St. Patrick’s Church at 2 p.m. for the Masterton Cemetery. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m.