Leading from the front issuu

a Thursday tradition. Cath’s time-honoured roast dinner
was kept warm in the bain marie, we invariably drank too
much wine and finished the evening playing cards, always
many hands of 500. Often in weekends we would go to
the bach at Puketitiri to spend time re-establishing the native
bush and make a side trip to fish, swim and picnic at
the Mohaka river or tramp to Te Puia Springs for a “hot
dip”.
There was no generation gap. You make people feel
special, and you have always given me more credit than I
felt was due. I sense I am not alone in that. It wasn’t until
I read Irish in the Blood, the family history written by your
sister Marie Gray, that I started to think how your early life,
the principles of the Plymouth Brethren and the example
of your father’s acts of kindness could have shaped your
relentless social conscience.
This was reinforced when I read your Dad’s, Robert
Magill’s, tribute in the Daily Telegraph 19 November 1957
which included :
“Mr (Robert) Magill throughout his long life in the city
was always ready to assist, in tangible ways, those in
need. His cheery personality and generosity stemmed
from a strong character, and were well known in the wards
of the Napier Public Hospital, the Napier goal, and the old
people’s homes, where he was a regular and popular visitor.
“Mr Magill had a notable capacity for making friends
and, although ranked among Napier’s elder citizens, he
was well known and popular with the youth of the city.”
Pat, you are an inspiration. Your persistence and unwavering
hope for the future and your encouragement for us
all to make it better does not fall on deaf ears. You have
been patient, and we still have time. As the good book
says : “A thousand years is but a day to the Lord”.
He hoa pūmau koe, he rangatira anō hoki.
Nga mihi nui,
Ahuriri; Kia Kaha! Kia Toa! Kia Manawanui!
Top marks Pat for your commitment to the Pilot City
Trust, for gathering people around you who believe in its
kaupapa, to those who have gone before and supported
you in your quest for a kinder, fairer city; and to the future
foot soldiers you will get on board to share your vision and
mahi hard. You make Napier a better place.
Kia kaha, Pat.
Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city 133