He built a shed and installed a forge then he built a horse-drawn trap for the family to go to church in.
Started work at 16 with "Mr Petch, next-door neighbour" roadmaking. Joined railways and learned to drive engines. Drove threashing machines and was good stack builder. Built a room onto parents house (at McCaul's farm now, Kairau Road) before getting married to Alice. Then stayed on farm to allow Albert to go out to earn money. Stayed on farm until after Gordon was born (4 Jul 1899). Bought Kelly Road farm and moved there. Built house on Doug Wright's farm when Doug and Grace were on honeymoon. Did all the work except walpapering done by Wright girls.
He was, at one time, a County Councillor and Chariman of the Co-operative at the Waitara Road Dairy Company.
He was rather remote, to me, and when he came to visit us he usually talked only to Dad or Mum. I think he particularly liked talking to Mum because she was well educated (New Plymouth Girls High) and could hold her own and often was quicker thinking and with figures than many other people.
He walked with a limp and in later life was bent over much of the time. He was a slow and careful speaker.
Died of carcinoma of prostate, Dr VBB Conaglen. HV Utting Waitara Meth 12 Jun. His funeral at Huirangi was one of the largest that I saw while a pupil at Huirangi School.
