In 1893 he married Annie Bright Jackson . In 1896 her family drew a 300 acre balloted farm in the Ōpōuriao Valley and this was given to Alex and his wife . In 1904 he sold the farm and bought the general store in Tāneatua on the corner of Tūhoe Street and the main highway to Ōpōtiki ( McKenzie Street ). The ‘ Corner Store ’ was built in 1896 and was the first shop in the district . Alex rebuilt and enlarged the store , added a grain store , storerooms , an office , provision for a Post Office , a butcher ’ s shop , a bake-house and stables . In 1915 he bought 50 acres of land in Waimana and established a store there and later a branch in Ruatoki .
Alex Peebles was a true pioneer entrepreneur . In 1912 he imported from America the first car to be registered in the Whakatāne County with the registration plate WH 1 . It was a 1911 Model ‘ T ’ Ford . In 1914 he imported his first truck , a chain drive Halley , manufactured in Scotland . Subsequently he became an agent for a variety of makes of vehicles and an insurance agent .
Frederick James Burt , Hospital Board member , 1902-1947
Frederick James Burt . Photo : Whakatāne District Museum & Gallery ( 10304 )
Fred Burt 46 was born at Thames in 1872 and educated at Karangahake and Cambridge . His parents Harry and Margaret Burt settled in Matata in 1886 . Fred was a farmer by occupation and he and six other Matata farmers formed the Matata Dairy Company Ltd on 3 August 1909 . He was well known throughout the Bay of Plenty for his sporting prowess , excelling in athletics , cricket , rugby and tennis but also participating in horse racing , the local rod and gun club , and the Rangitaiki Defence Rifle Club . Somehow he still found the time to apply his considerable talents to public affairs . He was a foundation member of the Whakatāne County Council ( 1900-1947 ), the Bay of Plenty Power Board ( 1923-1947 ), was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1906 , and was sufficiently familiar with Te Reo Māori to act as an interpreter on a number of occasions . As a Hospital Board member he served continuously for 45 years and played a significant role in the establishment of the hospital services the Whakatāne District now enjoys . In 1934 his wife passed away and on 24 May 1947 he died while watching a rugby match at Te Teko .
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Tiena Jordan , Frederick James Burt , 1872-1947 : The Ultimate Sportsman , ( Historical Review , Whakatāne & District Historical Society , November 2010 ) Vol . 58 No . 2 , pp 64-70
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