OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 76, 10 July 1942, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR H. A. HORROCKS The death occurred on Wednesday morning of Mr Henry Alexander llorrocks, Managing' Director of the Wha katane Paper Mills, and one who played a major role in their establishment. Mr Horrocks who was in his fiftieth year contracted pneumonia last week and, was removed to the Whakalane hospital where, though his condition was not regarded as serious he became rapidly worse on Tuesday and his death occurred in the early hours the following morning. The news came as a distinct shock throughout the district as his prominence in the establishment in Whakalane of one of the Dominion's foremost industries had made his name a household one, and the fact that many of the 2JO hands employed by the mills lived in the town built another strong Jink with the man who pioneered the great project. Mr llorrocks was born at Inglewood, Taranaki, his lather Mr Leonard Brownlow llorrocks being of pioneering stock. He received his initial education at Inglewood and later went to King's College. Graduating from tiie college, lie went on In University, and then spent a short time gaining practical legal experience at Te Kuiti. Willi the outbreak ol' the Great War, he enlisted in the Main Body and went to Egj r pt. He contracted an illness there, and was invalided back after 18 month's service. Upon being demobilised the late Mr Horrocks set up in practice as a barrister and solicitor -in Auckland, and continued in that profession successfully. In 1928 lie began to interest himself in the possibilities of paper manufacture in New Zealand, and was appointed New Zealand attorney for the Australian company which later pioneered the Whakatane venture. The gigantic task of raising the capital required for such a venture was undertaken by Mr Horrocks with the same energy and expediency which characterised all his efforts toi promote the new industry. A network of share sales was set up throughout the Dominion while a close link was maintained with the Australian interests, which had supplied half the capital. In .1931 Mr Horrocks visited America and there met Mr L. A. Deguere, who was later appointed the company's engineer. Initial plans were drawn up for the mills and in 1936 after a further extensive inspection of European and American plans it was decided to place the Whakatane mills upon a definite foundation, using an English generating' plant and Swedish machinery. European and Canadian experts were employed in erecting the machinery and slowly despite many setbacks the great buildings were erected and the delicate machinery installed. The disappointments which beset the company in its earlier days and the criticism which the project evoked will be remembered by all Whakatane residents at the time and only the determination and dogged perseverence of the men who had faith enabled the mills to be finally set in motion. The lirst year of operations was more in the shape of an experimental one but the tjrowth of the industrj* can be guaged from the following annual, figures: June 1 7000 tons; June 1940. 9300 tons and Jiune 1941, 11,300 tons. With the outbreak of the war and the increasing difficulties besetting the card and paper trade the mills were set the task of meeting the whole of the Dominion demand. A 24-hour shift over 7 days per week was inaugurated and output has steadily risen. The operations have been thoroughly established and some of the manufactured board goes now to Australia and as far as to India. f ■ . The late Air Hofrock's -.' will always be associated- wit'h the industry as it was he who first conceived the idea and proceeded to foster it until it had actually become an accomplished fact. The mills will constitute in years to come a standing monument to his courage and tenacity of purpose and will pave the way to new and greater undertakings as the industry expands. Mr Horrocks leaves a widow and three children (two daughters and a son) all of Auckland. MR W. BUTLER The death occurred on Friday, 3rd July, of Mr W. Butler, at his residence, Waioeka Road, Opotiki, at the age of 78 years. Mr Butler was one of the early pioneer settlers,

who with his ]ate parents and brothers and sisters, came from East Tairei and settled at Waioeka in 1877, where until his death he was engaged in farming on the original property taken up by his father. Mr Butler was one of the foundation members of the Legion of Frontiersmen and was also an acti.vc member of the- Rifle Club. He was a noted horseman in his early days. Mr Butler was among the first Europeans to enter the rugged Urewera country, where he carried on cattle dealing with the Maoris. "With Mr J. T. Tabb, now of Auckland, lie was held prisoner for a number of days at Maungapohatu, the wellknown Maori stronghold. The late Maori Prophet Rua was instrumental, in obtaining their release. The late Mr Butler is survived by one sister, Mrs J. Waring", Liverpool, and four sons, William, Rob-, crt (Opoliki), John (Tanealua), Thomas (Overseas) and three daughters, Mrs Barr (Cambridge), Margaret (Dargaville) and Rachel (Opotiki). His wife predeceased him fight years ago. Although of a retiring nature, Mr Butler had a wide circle of friends, and the high esteem in "which he was held was shown by the large attendance at the graveside.