EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 August 1942, Page 5

EKETAHUNA

OBITUARY MR JOHN COOPER. (“Times-Age” Special,) The death occurred recently of an old and highly respected resident of Newman in the person of Mr John Cooper at the age of 79 years. Born at Makara, Wellington, he was the son of the late Mr William Cooper, who arrived in New Zealand in 1856 from Si. Helena where he was one of Napoleon’s guards, being an officer in the British Imperial Army. Mr Cooper’s early life was spent in bush-felling in the Makara, Wairarapa and the Bush districts. After his marriage to Miss Charlotte Dowsetl, of Newman. Mr Cooper took up a bush section and built his homestead where it is at present situated. On his retirement from active farming in 1920, Mr Cooper pursued the hobby of topiary at which art he became highly proficient and his topiary gardens at Newman became known far and wide. During his 58 years of residence in Newman, the late Mr Cooper took a keen interest in the affairs of the district. He was a member of the school committee for 25 years, a director of the Newman Dairy Co. and a member of the Domain Board. He was a very enthusiastic member of the Methodist enurch and served as a Sunday School teacher for a long period. He was a member of the M.U. Odd Fellows' Lodge for 53 years. In his younger days Mr Cooper took a keen and active part in all athletic sports and excelled in walking and chopping events. He was a keen follower of football, cricket and tennis. At the age of 17 he saw service at Parihaka and later became a member of the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles. The late Mr Cooper leaves two brothers (Messrs J. Cooper aged 89, of Ohakune, and W. Cooperaged 85, of Rangiriro), two sisters (Mesdames Patchey, aged 82, of' Palmerston North, and Humphrey, aged 75, of Pahiatua), four sons (Messrs C. R., R. F., H. A., and L. J. Cooper, all of Newman) and two daughters (Mesdames E. B. Terry, Hamilton, and N. J. Terry, Nireaha), and 24 grandchildren. ’His wife predeceased him 11 years ago. The funeral took place at the Eketahuna Cemetery, the cortege being a large and representative one. The Rev. K. Button was the officiating clergyman, and-the Odd Fellows’ Lodge service was conducted by Bro. R. Farrow, D.D.G.M. The pallbearers were Bros. R. F. Cooper, H. A. Cooper, L. J. Cooper, G. R. Cooper, N. J. Terry and A. H. Herbert.