OBITUARY
MR. MICHAEL FLEMING. A LIFE-TIME OF SERVICE. The death of Mr. Michael Fleming, which occurred at his residence, Cape Road, Punagarehu, on Good Friday, has removed one of the best known and most highly esteemed public men in Taranaki, a man whose name for the past half century has been closely identified with every movement that has meant progress for the coastal district. It is doubtful if anyone has given more public service in the district and throughout his long association with the coast, just a few months short of 50 years, he gained and retained the universal respect of all with whom he came in contact and, probably the greatest tribute of all, he never made an enemy. He was a man of very sound judgment whose advice was often sought and always freely given.

Mr. Fleming was born in Anna Galbaly, County Tipperary, Ireland, 75 years ago and when about 20 years of age he came to New Zealand. For a while he was on the West Coast gold diggings, going thence to Hawke's Bay. Fifty years ago next August he left Waipawa, Hawke's Bay, accompanied by his brother, Mr. R. Fleming, who had come from Ireland later, and a young man, Mr. P. McGrievy, and made the trip to Taranaki in a horse dray. The trip to Opunake took a fortnight, but for about a week they camped at Wanganui. They camped for a while at Opunake and then Mr. Fleming went on to Pungarehu and took up the farm on Cape Road where he resided until his death.

A splendid farmer of the progressive type, Mr. Fleming made a success of farming and added considerably to his original holding. His record of public service is one of which any man might be proud, showing that he bore more than his burden in moulding the destinies of the coastal district and transforming it into the prosperous community that it is to-day. Mr. Fleming was a member and chairman of the Parihaka Road Board and later was chairman of the Egmont County Council. He was for many years chairman of the Pungarehu school committee, having heen with the late Mr. G. Adlam mainly responsible for its establishment. He had a unique record as chairman of the Cape Egmont Dairy Company, having held that position continuously for 34 years —ever since the inception of the company. Prior to its establishment as a co-operative concern he had been chairman of the local committee set up to negotiate for its purchase from the Crown Dairy Company (Mr. Cock and the late Messrs Newton King and J. C. George). He had also been identified with the hall committee for many years, having been one of the original trustees. In a wider sphere he was one of the directors and guarantors of the Taranaki Farmers' Meat Freezing Company at Smart Road, and when called upon to pay his quota of the guarantee amounting to £3OOO he did so without a murmur. He was also a director of the original Motor Transport Company that set out to pioneer motor transport along the coast many years ago, but being ahead of its time it proved an unprofitable venture. He was a director of the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works at Moturoa and had also been a director of the Taranaki Farmers' Co-operative Organisation Society and of the Egmont Box Company. Mr. Fleming's health had not been good for the past twelve months but he was able to follow his usual activities until about three weeks ago. Mr. Fleming was married at Okato to Miss Johanne Cavanagh, and he is survived by his widow and a family of one son, Mr. R. M. Fleming, Pungarehu, and eight daughters, Mesdames W. Rothery (Whakamara), J. Hickey (Opunake), A. Dobbyn (Dannevirke), T. Freyne (Palmerston North)
-Opunake Times 7 Apr 1931
Contributor: Karaka (46787675)