ROBYN PARKES
Alexander Drummond, pioneer of Riwaka, passed away after a short illness on 11 March 1930 at his residence.
He was born at Perthshire, Scotland, in April 1839 and 16 years later sailed to Nelson on board the ship Sir Allan McNabb with his parents John Ernest and Marjory, and seven siblings.
The family arrived in Nelson on the 8 August 1855 and commenced to Motueka, landing at Manuka Bush eight days later in a boat owned by Captain Washbourn.
The family settled in Riwaka for a while but then spent around 12 months at Lower Moutere.
Alexander returned to Riwaka and on learning of the gold in Collingwood he went there to try his hand in 1857, but was unsuccessful so returned once more to Riwaka. He tried again at the Wakamarino goldrush with three friends but again, no luck.
Alexander married Ann Fowler at Spring Grove in 1861 and over the ensuing years had 11 children. Ann had arrived in Nelson with her parents in 1843 on board the ship Indus.
Alexander became a member of the management committee for the Riwaka Presbyterian Church, spent 25 years on the Road Board, acted on the Motueka Highway Board and was a member of the school committee, a position he held for 45 years.
In recognition of his long service to the school Alexander was presented with a watch and gold chain at an evening held in his honour.
It must be noted here that in a very early job after arriving in Riwaka he assisted with the building of Riwaka School.
He was also a trustee of the Riwaka cemetery, a Justice of the Peace and one of the founders of the Motueka Horticultural Society.
A small side point - in 1894 Alexander took second prize for growing a pumpkin that weighed 941lbs, according to a newspaper article.
Alexander, also known as Old Sandy, was very much a community man and was willing to help out anyone in need.
During the Riwaka floods of 1904 he went out to rescue the Bates family from their flooded home and then took them to his own home.
During the rescue the family were swept into the water but thankfully they were then pulled to safety.
In December 1913 Alexander hosted a large gathering of local people for the annual picnic of the Riwaka Presbyterian Sunday school.
He and son Ernest ensured that the day was a very happy one for all the children and provided a well spread lunch for all the attendees.
Alexander was a worker and was recorded as still being so at age 89, just one year before he passed away. Having lived a full and productive life he was laid to rest in Riwaka Cemetery with his beloved wife Ann who had passed away in 1920.
