Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 19, June 1975
The Late E.D. HAVILL (Bill)
Born in Eng., one of a large musical family, Bill came alone to N.Z. when 15 to join his brother Barney (1 W.W.). With his uncle Ted Roberts he visited our area in 1925 and returned to it after "Neavesville" about 1938 when he worked at the "Dubbo". Enlisting for 2nd W.W. he was in camp in 1940 with other local men (Mick and Dan Fitzgerald, Alan Rackham, Peter Grant and Paul and Bob Young). After serving in Egypt and Greece he was wounded in Tunisia, invalided home 1943 and discharged 1944 with total disability pension. His mother had come to N.Z. prior to War and she and Bill lived in a cottage on Les Havill's farm at Turners Hill. Bill took up Floral Work and his Paeroa Shop was a rendezvous for many friends who also remember his Music. He lived for a time in Mackaytown and during his long illness spent some months with Barney & Grace Havill. His courage and unassuming manner continued to endear him to those who knew him. He died in Thames Hospital in July, 1974.
MR. WILLIAM HALL
MR. WILLIAM HALL retired to Nahum Street at the end of World War II and died in 1972 at 90 years. Mrs. Teresa Hall sold the Nahum Street house in 1973 after coming to stay with us at Long Beach, Russell. It was difficult to sever the link after over 60 years and now at 96 Mother still misses her Paeroa friends.
MRS. BETTY RUSSELL
MRS. BETTY RUSSELL (nee Purdie) came from Scotland to New Zealand with her family in 1904. After arriving in Paeroa from Wiri they travelled by horse coach via Rahu Road to Waihi where Mr. Purdie and Mr. Toomey helped to turn the first sods on the site of the Railway Station. Later he assisted in the laying of the water system in the Martha Mine but the family left Waihi (where Betty attended the East School) and settled in Paeroa in 1919. Other well known members of the Paeroa Historical Society have greatly assisted the Ed. by contributing accounts of Centennial Activities.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS. MRS. MARGERY DIXON (nee Armour) and MESSRS WILL MALCOLM, and IVAN HALL, all ex-Teachers, are valued "absent members" who have written for us previously
and MRS. NELLIE BAIN of Tirohia has a reliable pen.