MR GEORGE METHVEN

Evening Star, Issue 19781, 3 February 1928, Page 2

MR GEORGE METHVEN

After having lived an active, useful t and successful life for nigh on ninety years, Mr George Methven, who will be remembered by the last generation as tho founder of and tho moving spirit in the firm of G. Methven and Co., passed away yesterday morning at the residence of his daughter (Mrs Rowlands) in 'Wellington. A Scotsman, born at Locheo, near Dundee, in June, 1838, the late George Methven from early boyhood was in machinery and engineering, and it was at the early ago of twelve years that he began work, for the youthful George so disliked the task of learning “tho three It’s” that lie had already run away to sea rather than go to school. He got on at his work, nevertheless, and rapidly advanced until lie had by 1874 held the positions of foreman at the Dundee Machinery Works at Liverpool and head foreman at. the Duttonbrook Ironworks. Then it was that he looked further afield, and he chose New Zealand as; Ins Land of Promise, landing at Dunedin. Ho had his struggles at the outset, of course, but his industry and integrity were not long in being recognised, and he won his way to the job of foreman of Messrs Reid and Gray’s engineering department, which he held for eight and a-lialf years. Once more the urge for greater things came to him, and he started business for himself in a small shed in Caversham. It was a humble beginning, and he worked day and night to establish himself. Energy, determination, and ability told in the" end, and the business grew until eventually it became well and favorably known throughout New Zealand and in Australia. After a working and business career of sixty-ono years Mr Methven, in 1909, retired, and enjoyed a well-earned rest, though to the end ho retained a lively interest in the scientific and general development of engineering. For a number of years he remained in Dunedin, hut on the death of his wife some seven or eight years ago he removed to Wellington and took up his residence with a married daughter. He retained his physical health until a few months ago, when he had to take to his bed and content himself with reading and discussing events of the day. Many a man who received his training as an engineer’s apprentice will have kindly memories of the late George Methven, whose personality was of the quiet, but none tho less strong, kind. At one time he was a member of the Caversham Borough Council, but, as he himself remarked, “ I’m belter iu a workshop than at ti council table,” and generally speaking he avoided public lire. .. A self-made man in every x-cspoct, his was a long and honorable career. He leaves three sons and two daughters—Air James Methven, a schoolmaster at Tiraaru; Mr George Methven, engineer at Addington; Air Peter Alethven; Mrs Peters, of Caversham; and Airs Rowlands, of AVcllington. His body is being brought to Dunedin, and will be interred in the Southern Cemetery on Sunday.