Leading from the front issuu

lenging. Once we were inside, Mum would light the coal
range and have the billy boiling in no time.
Working on the land, especially for Dad in the early
days, either weeding, planting, or cutting back gorse and
blackberry, was a big part of life at the bach. His vision
was to convert the farmland back into regenerated native
bush and with a lot of hard work from him and some very
dedicated people, especially our brother Rob and Bernard
Lloyd, this has been achieved although it does need
ongoing care. Some say Puketitiri is one of Dad’s greatest
legacies and that makes us feel very proud of him.
Back home at Westshore Dad enjoyed listening to music.
Nat King Cole’s Rambling Rose, Dean Martin, and
Boss Gags (as he called Boz Scaggs) were some of his
favourites. He loved hearing us play the piano too and
Dad liked a good car. There was always a good car.
Millie, the tiny fox terrier/chihuahua cross that was
initially John’s dog, went to live with Mum and Dad and
did she love Dad. She followed him everywhere and
loved running with him along the beach. She even forgave
Dad when we accidentally left her behind at Cook
Gardens in Whanganui late one dark night, when we
stopped for a breather en route for New Plymouth. She
was very spoilt, had a wicker basket with a mattress
and sheets and in winter Mum would cover her up with
homespun woollen blankets.
Soon after Dad was awarded his OBE Mum mentioned
that it was lying around and he needed to find
a safe spot for it. “I know, under Millie’s mattress,” he
said, and there it stayed for years. That didn’t mean he
didn’t value the medal; he was quietly proud to receive
it.
Dad was very generous and from time to time would
buy each of us a special gift. I especially remember him
buying me a guitar, which was the start of my long and
continuing love for music. He gave me a children’s bible
too, which I still treasure.
When Pat visits me in Titahi Bay, we walk along the
beach and take in Kapiti Island in the distance. Back
home we sit and chat and enjoy cups of tea. At night we
watch his favourite programmes, The Chase and Britain’s
Got Talent and I treasure these wonderful times
with my most faithful friend. You’re such a big, beautiful
person in our lives Dad and we love you to bits.
Above: John Magill sailing near Ahuriri Channel; this watercolour (above) was painted by Mary-Anne as John was departing for Fiji in
his yacht.
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A big presence in our lives