Community Contributed
Mark Edwin Perreau, Foxton
Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T17:00:51+00:00| Date of birth | 1879 |
| Date of death | 4 June 1973 |
Mark received all his schooling in Foxton and at about 18 years of age set himself up as a baker and pastrycook, later opening a branch shop in Shannon.
In 1902 he married a widow, Jane Ellen Savell, daughter of Mr. John Walls, also a baker. She was a great help to him in his business activities. They opened the first general store and tearooms at Foxton Beach.
In his youth Mark was interested in cycling and rugby. He coached junior rugby and later became president of the rugby, bowling, tennis, and swimming clubs, the Repertory Society, and took a keen interest in athletics and boating.
Mr. Perreau was always interested in civic affairs and was elected first president of the Manawatu Master Bakers and Pastrycooks Association.
He was also the first president of the Foxton Retailers' Association.
He called a public meeting to form the Chamber of Commerce and was elected its first president. Citizens looked to Mr. Perreau to run their town, electing him Mayor in 1925, a position he retained until his retirement in 1944.
During the 1920s Foxton's only natural resources were the harbour and flax - which had been a "boom or bust" industry since 1870.
The harbour was not being used to its full extent since the completion of the main trunk railway (which was originally expected to come through Foxton) so local businessmen got together to persuade the Government to build a factory to manufacture woolpacks from flax fibre.
Mr. Perreau gave the land for the factory buildings to be built on and so New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles came into being in 1933. Because it was such a labour intensive industry it gave employment to many people. During World War 2 it manufactured all the woolpacks required by New Zealand farmers and also made gun mats for the army. Later the factory turned to the manufacture of floor matting - many older people remember the hardwearing qualities of "Foxton matting". Mr. Perreau was a member of the Foxton Harbour Board, but the completion of the Whirokino Cut in 1942 (which lessened the flood risks to farmland up-river and the city of Palmerston North) so reduced the flow of water to Foxton that the small coasters could not reach the port. Because other means of transport were available by this time, the day of numerous coastal ships was over.
Mark was a member of the Foxton Harbour Board for many years and interested in the beach and its amenities. While chairman of the Beach Improvement Society he was responsible for the formation of the Foxton Branch of the Royal Life Saving Society and was a member of the Surf Club and Fire Brigade. He served many years on the Palmerston North Hospital Board and on its Welfare Committee.
During his time as mayor, the Foxton District High School was established on land owned by local Maori.
This school served the district for 20 years by which time it was far too small and a larger school (later to become Manawatu College) was built in Lady's Mile. Mark served 32 years continuously on the local school committee.
His civic services were recognised in 1953 with an M.B.E. in the Coronation Honours.
Over 1,000 pounds (a huge amount in those days) was spent on a beautifying programme while Mark was president of the Foxton Beautifying Society. During the 1930s many old residents will remember the wonderful Seaview Gardens with fish pond and fern houses and many and varied flower beds. Maybe this was part of the programme.
Mark and Jane raised four children, Rita (Mrs. Briers), Gordon (well known to local children for "Foxton fizz" - this cordial factory is now run by grandson, Murray), Hector and Pat. Jane died in 1961.
In 1967 Mark married his housekeeper Jessie Muir who died in April 1973 while Mark died on 4 June the same year aged 93.