FREDERICK JOHN SELWYN HOLDEN (1931-32)

John Holden, who completed the Diploma course 1931-32, died at the age of 56, on August 8th, 1966 at Rotorua, where he lived with his family. He was born in Christchurch and had his secondary education at Wesley College, Paerata, South Auckland before going to Lincoln.

During the next 12 years he was in the Department of Agriculture, being stationed in the fields or farm advisory division at Dannevirke, Levin and Otaki. During the war period he was in charge of the Services Vegetable Production unit at Otaki.

In 1950 he joined the staff of Hodder and Tolley Ltd. at Feilding, working in the Rotorua area for about four years before being appointed manager of the firm’s Rotorua office.

Mr Holden’s knowledge of pasture establishment and improvement was widely accepted throughout the Bay of Plenty.

His ability to keep abreast of the rapid progress of present day farming, and his ability to impart his knowledge contributed substantially to the rapid progress of the pumice lands.

Mr Holden served for a number of years on the committee of the Otonga Road Primary School and was associated with the Dannevirke Young Farmers’ Club. He also served on the Rotorua and Dannevirke A. & P. Societies. He was a member of the Royal Agricultural Society. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. 

He was an active member of the Old Students' Association and regularly attended the Hamilton reunion.