DEATH OF MR. W. H. DU CROS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 157, 28 March 1919, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. W. H. DU CROS

Mr. William Harvey Du Oros, so well knou'ii in tho motoring world, <lic<l recently from heart failure at his residence, Balkey, County Dublin. Sir. Du Cros, who came of an ancient Huguenot family, whoso namo is inscritol in tho roll of tile French nobles since _ the twelfth century, was born in Dublin in Jurno, 181 C, and was educated at the King's Hospital in that' city. Commencing his commercial carocr a? a clerk, ho was fortunate enough to 'become connected with tho pneumatic tyro interest at its inception, and by his enorgy and business acumen developed the industry to such an extent that ho quickly became one of the most prominent personalities in the business world, lie did not coilline his activities to this country, but •ipciied up factories in France and Germany. His interests in the commercial world may be described as colossal, but lie was perhaps best known as tho founder of the pneumatic tyre industry, which, as is well known, created a revolution in the moans of rapid transport. It was in 1899 that Mr. Du Cros secured tho Dunlop invention, and although lie had_ to withstand bitter prejudice and opposition, his confidence and pluck carried him through, and lie succeeded: in establishing the pneumatic tyro business throughout the world. Mr. Du Cros also took a Brent interest in the development of the automobile industry and in tlio solution <jf traffio difficulties. In 1909 he was tho recipient of an address of congratulation from cycling and m6toring bodies throughout the world at a banquot m his honour. On that occasion the late Prince Francis of Teelc Mr. Du> Cros, who wa.s a Conservative in politics, was returned for Hastings at the election of IflOC, but only sat in Parliament for two Tears, when ho gavo way to lug tlnrd son, Sir (then Mr.) Arthur Du Cros. Mr. Du Cros, who was a Chevalier ot tho Legion of Honour and a, I\niglit of the Order of Isabella La Gatolica, was bf~!iis younger days a well-known ath- . lete in Irish amateur circles, and a keen motorist Bi*nco the inception of motoring.