Person:Douglas Christensen (2)

Doug was born in Masterton and brought up at Christensen farm at Mt Bruce. Doug went initially to Mt Bruce School later renamed Miki Miki School. . At some stage Doug contacted Raumatic fever with the result he had an enlarged heart. Doug left school to work on the farm initially staying with his parents share farming. Doug never actually purchased the farm until 1956. Doug got married to Eileen Jarrett in 1941 and initially lived in the Cottage in front of Uncle Arnie Nielsens house North of the farm. They were living in the cottage during the June 1942 Masterton Earthquake and since the chimney was a tin one it remained standing when most in the district fell down. Doug & Eileen stayed in the Cottage until 1947 when they moved into the farm House. Electric power was installed in the house and cowshed in 1949. Between 1932 & 1949 the cows were milked using a petrol motor prior to then they were milked by hand. Doug was involved with the School Committee for a number of years. Vehicles that Doug owned included, a curtained car, a large truck, 48 Citreon Car, Humber Hawk, Fiats. (And another car for 1 week in the early years) At some time during 1968 Doug worked at Beders Wool Scourers did not stay long. Then shed hands with Kevin Aplins shearing gang. In Jun 1969 Doug sold the farm to son Henry and retired to Irons St Masterton getting a job with the Masterton Hospital assisting in the Laundry. In 1976 Doug retired again and shifted to Valley Road in Mt Mauganui, There he enjoyed going out on the boats fishing, playing Bowls and supervising (Watching) the local workers. In May 1986 Doug suffered a severe heart attack but recovered only for Eileen to die in Jul 86. The flat in Mt Mauganui was sold in June and Doug shifted to Inglewood with daphne and spent the next 7 years moving amongst the family and Hospitals before dying in 1993. Doug never lost his sense of humour and even the night before he died he tried to hook the nurses leg with his stick.

1. ↑ By Rev CB Jordan of Eketahuna Methodist Church Circuit.
2. ↑ Funeral service held at Salvation Army at Stratford. Led by Capts Gary &
   Maureen Ashton.