Henry Albert Vercoe

The funeral takes place at 2 p.m. today of Mr. H. A. Vercoe, who was born on the 6th of May, 1861. The late Mr. Vercoe came from fine old pioneer stock and in a later issue we will publish one or two interesting episodes of his long life. He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Dodds, and two sons, Mr. Philip Vercoe and Mr. Dudley Vercoe. A brother is Mr. J. F. Vercoe, of Hamilton, and sisters are Mesdames Bostock and Perring, of Te Puke, and Mrs. Boucher, of Tauranga. There are four grandchildren. TE PUKE TIMES, VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 42, 2 JUNE 1944, PAGE 2.

OBITUARY - MR. H. A. VERCOE. ONE OE THE OLDEST AND BEST KNOWN IDENTITIES. In the passing of the late Mr. H. A. Vercoe at the ripe old age of 84 years, Te Puke has lost one of its oldest and best known identities. He was born in 1861 at Mangere and was the oldest son of the late Mr. H. W. Vercoe, who came to this country at the age of 19 years with his parents in the ship Joseph Fletcher in the year 1851.
The family came to Maketu in 1877. A year later the late Mr. H. A. Vercoe heard of the arrival, of the sailing ship Lady Jocelyn and rode his pony along the beach fording both the Kaituna and the estuary at Tauranga, roads not having been even anticipated in those days. Three years later this ship brought the Vesey Stuart, settlers to Katikati.
About this time the Maori Chief Te Kooti had landed at Waihi Beach, and Mr. Vercoe had the, at that time, doubtful honour of rubbing noses with the great chief, although it was a terrifying experience for him. He also claimed to be the last white man to see the pink and white terraces before they were destroyed by the eruption of Tarawera.
As a young man he helped his father to manage the Rangiuru Estate which consisted of most of Te Matai and Rangiuru, and the task of burning off the fern and tutu and sowing the area in grass was no mean one. During these years the nearest fat stock market was at the Thames; and many herds were driven through by Mr. Vercoe.
In later years he resided on the. No. 3 Road, coming later to No. 2 Road, where he remained for the rest of his life. This property was acquired by his father in 1880. During his life time Mr. Vercoe took a keen interest in public affairs, serving for many years on the Road Boards, Drainage Boards and the A. and P. Association owes much to his maintained interest. He was also a prominent breeder of pedigree Shorthorn cattle.
He leaves his widow, one daughter, two sons and four grandchildren, two of whom are serving with the R.N.Z.A.F., to mourn their loss. TE PUKE TIMES, VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 48, 30 JUNE 1944, PAGE 2.