O.B.E. Honours

Two citizens of Gisborne were honoured by the Queen in the recent Birthday Honours List, they being the recipients of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Honours by Her Majesty are not conferred lightly and the two recipients have each done much in their own sphere to warrant the bestowal.

Mr Lawson Field , Clifford Street.

Mr Field's honour was conferred for his services to aerial top-dressing.

He began his flying in the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War, after which he returned to Gisborne and farming.

In 1949 he started top-dressing with one small light aircraft.

In the eighteen succeeding years the venture has expanded to the extent that the primary company now has fifteen aircraft.

Included in Mr Field's other activities is the Gisborne Veterinary Club which he started, twenty-two years ago.

He has been national president of the Aviation Industry Association, of which he is East Coast president at present, and president of the Poverty Bay A. and P. Association.

An inaugural member of the Sheepowners' Federation, now incorporated in Federated Farmers, the New Zealand Ram Breeders' Association, the New Zealand Bull Breeders' Association. Mr Field, who represented farmers on the Veterinary Services Council for some years, was also a former Cook County Councillor.

Mr Field was born in Gisborne and after receiving his early schooling in the town, completed his education at Wellington College.

Mr Henare Ngata , Grant Road.

Mr Ngata's honour was bestowed for his services to the Maori people.

A member of the Tairawhiti District Maori Council since its inauguration ten years ago Mr Ngata has been spokesman many times for the Maori people of the East Coast area whenever proposals affecting them have been submitted to the Government.

He is also a member of the New Zealand Maori Council.

A son of the late Sir Apirana Ngata and Lady Ngata, Henare Ngata was born at Waiomatini where he went to school.

After attending Te Aute College he then went to Victoria University where he obtained his degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts.

He returned to Gisborne and, after working at the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Mercantile Co., Ltd., and the accounting firm of McCulloch, Butler and Spence, started in the accounting business on his own.