Florence Elizabeth Burke (King) - Florence and Thomas Burke

Florence King moved from Hawera, where she had her education, to Cheddar Valley and Kutarere, where she operated the Kutarere Post Office, there met Thomas Burke and they were married in the Kutarere Church - this little Church was moved to Ruatahuna, a small settlement some distance south of Waimana. Thomas Burke had enlisted and seen service in Gallipoli, previous to their marriage, he was wounded, sent home and had gone to work at Cape Runaway, as a farm labourer, then returned to work in the local shop after their wedding. Their first child, Thomas Malcom was born at Cape Runaway, he is being the first European child born there. From Cape Runaway they moved to Chedder Valley where they worked for Mr Wilkie for some years, as sharemilkers. In about 1936 they purchased part of Mr Wilkies property that part know as Motuore, bounded by the Ohiwa Harbour and now served by the access named Burkes Road. Many years of hard work was put in by Florence and Tom, and their family on this farm before they retired in 1947 leaving two of their sons to manage the farm, from that time they lived out their retirement in Whakatane pursuing their many interests. Both played golf, were very keen gardeners, also both loved music, Florence being an accomplished pianist and singer. She was an accomplished pianist and singer. She was an enthusiastic member of Womens Institue.
Thomas Burke, while in the army, reached the rank of Corporal, played rugby in the Army Team. Was a very keen athlete, boxer and runner, also played tennis, bowls. Before World War 1 he worked as a gum digger in Northland.
While living at Motuore he served on the Opotiki County Council for some years also on the Waingarara School Committee