Alexander McBAIN (1868-1933) - Hutt Valley Biographical Index ...

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Alexander McBAIN (1868-1933)
Obituary Hutt News 07June 1933
[includes portrait photo]
It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mr Alexander McBain, which took place after a short illness at a Wellington private
hospital last Friday afternoon. Mr McBain was 65 years of age, and was born at Carstairs, Scotland. He received his education at
Coatbridge, near Glasgow, and arrived in Wellington with his parents in January 1882 in the sailing ship ‘Perthshire’ after a voyage of 96
days. On October 1, 1884, he took a position as pupil teacher at the Te Aro School and from that day until he retired 47 years later he
remained in the service of the Wellington Education Board. Mr McBain was in charge of the first school Rugby representative team to play
Wairarapa. The team included “Billy” Wallace, who afterwards became famous as an All Black. Transferred to Te Horo, Mr McBain entered
vigorously into the life of that community. He represented Horowhenua County at cricket. After seven years at Te Horo he was appointed
headmaster at Manakau, and there also he was one of the leaders of the community, being a lay reader and preacher for all the Protestant
churches, chairman of the Horowhenua Rugby Union, and sole selector of representative teams. In conjunction with Mr J. Manning, he was
selector for the combined Manawhenua unions. In recognition of his popularity among the Maoris he was presented with two valuable mats
when he left Manawatu. The Eastern Hutt School was opened as a separate school on February 2, 1915, and Mr McBain was the first
headmaster, and held that position until his retirement in August 1931. It is not too much to say that Mr McBain made the Eastern Hutt
School what it is today. His personal touch gained him popularity both in the classroom, and on the playing field, and his kindly interest in
his pupils followed them long after they had left his school. His laying out of the school grounds in spacious lawns, reserves, flower beds,
and shrubberies has made the school one of the ‘show’ places of the Dominion. When he retired in 1931, Mr McBain was farewelled by a
public meeting of Lower Hutt citizens, by the Wellington Education Board, and by the Hutt Valley Headmasters’ Association, which elected
him its first life member. There have been few residents of the Hutt Valley who have been more widely known and more highly respected
than the late Mr McBain. His kindly and sympathetic disposition and keen sense of service brought around him a large circle of friends. As a
schoolmaster, not only in this district but in Wellington, Otaki, and Manakau, he always earned the love and respect of those under his care.
He was always a strong advocate of clean healthy sport and took a keen interest in the local Rugby Football Club of which he was a past
president and a life member. At the time of his death he was a vice-president of the Hutt Cricket Club, the Hutt Amateur Athletic Club and
the Wellington Rugby Union. It was in order that he might set an example to those young lives under his care that Mr McBain decided to
offer his services to the burgesses of Lower Hutt when some 12 years ago he was elected as a member of the Lower Hutt Borough
Council, an office which he retained until a month ago when he resigned. During that time he was regarded as a valuable councillor and
was chairman of the Works Committee during the last four years. It was during Cr. McBain’s term of office as chairman of the Reserves
Committee that the great improvements were effected to the Recreation Grounds as a result of the Easter galas organised with his
assistance. He was one of the original members and also secretary of the Miniature Rifle Club, and was for some years Rugby referee and
cricket umpire. He was one of the prime movers in the provision of the gymnasium for the Rugby Club.
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The funeral which took place on Sunday afternoon was attended by a very large circle of personal friends and by representatives of many
local bodies in the district. The services at St. James’s Church and at the graveside at Taita were conducted by Rev. H. E. K. Fry, and Mr
Ron. Horman presided at the organ at the Church service. The pall bearers were Sir Alex Roberts and Messrs D. S. Patrick, W. H. Olson,
D. McGrath, D. McBain and H. S. George. The chief mourners were Miss Violet McBain and Miss Mavis McBain (daughters) and Messrs
Hector and Gordon McBain (sons). Others present were the Mayor (Mr J. W. Andrews), Crs. F. Campbell, W. H. Wilson, W. G. Meldrum, B.
Ginger, C. J. Ashton, J. Mitchell; Messrs F. J. Jones, M. J. Hodgins, W. T. Strand (River Board), Messrs A. Anderson and E. F. Hollands
(Power Board), Mr D. W. Campbell (Gas Board), Mr W. V. Dyer (Hutt County Council), Mr W. Nash M.P., Mr H. P. Kidson (Hutt Valley High
School), Messrs E. Harland and other teachers of Eastern Hutt School; R.J. Burke (Headmasters’ Association); A. McFadyen (Petone
Technical School); S. Vaughan (Taita School); C. G. Collins and E. S. Innis (Audit Office), H. S. Dudding (chairman Eastern Hutt School
Committee; Mr H. Miller (Central School), Mr J. Benson (Eastern Hutt School), Mr J. Stonehouse and T. Forsyth (Education Board), Mr J.
Kerr (Board of Governors Hutt Valley High School), Dr J. W. Boyd, Mr J. G. McKenzie (Wellington), Mr E. W. Wise (Mayor of Eastbourne),
Mr B. S. Knox (Town Clerk), Mr R. F. Mainland (Borough Engineer), Mr J. Fletcher (Borough Inspector) and members of the borough staff;
Mr E. P. Bunny (president Hutt District Cricket Club); Mr J. N. Millard (sole selector Wellington Rugby Union); Major T. King, Mr W. E. Bock
(president Hutt Bowling Club); Mr C. Dudding (Hutt Rugby Club); Mr S. S. Deans (chairman Rugby Union); Mr Dan McKenzie (Referees
Association); Sergt. McHolm; Messrs E. J. Guiness, A. J. Jarman, C. Gostelow, J. Gray, S.M. Hobbs, E. W. Hunt, E. F. Rothwell, J. S. Reid,
E. T. McKain, Morrice Denniston, D. C. Martin, A. S. Kempthorne, J. Tamblyn, G. D. Hathaway, W. P. Williams, W. H. Earnshaw, H. E. and
W. H. Leighton, B. Pegler, G. Savage, R. G. House and E. Liddle. Mr McBain’s sister and brother are still residing in the Hutt.
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Tribute to the late Alexander McBain (By B. W.)
In his passing we have lost a kind and faithful friend
Who sought to serve us nobly, with singleness of mind
Beloved by little children, by the whole appraised
This was his great ambition – the things he strived for most
And now in his Transition to a Higher State and Plane
The strength that here was lacking may be there more abundantly obtain
And those on earth beloved by him so well
Must for a brief interlude say Farewell
And thus we too, say Farewell
Tribute by the Maori Race
We, members of the several Maori sub-tribes undermentioned and resident in the Horowhenua District, are sorrowful and sad of heart
because you have departed from us this day. O McBain, Farewell. Though your earthly person is lost to our view your spirit will ever remain
with us. Depart ye to join the great majority in the land from whence bourne no traveller returns. You have completed the task set you.
During your life in our midst you gave us an ideal to attain and aspire to. From you and others like you we learnt tolerance and fair play. In
the social life of the community you were always sympathetic and helpful. In sport you taught us to play the game in accordance with the
highest traditions of British sportsmanship. On occasions of misunderstanding between our people and your people you were ever a
welcome mediator. Your life among us assisted materially in creating a better understanding between the members of the two races
residing in our district. We appreciate the work you have done for us. Depart ye in peace to our ancestors and elders residing in spirit land.
Haere ra e koro.
Kingi Tahiwi
for N’Raukawa, N’Tukorehe, N’Wehiwehi, N’Huia, Muaupoko
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