OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1932, Page 4

OBITUARY

WILLIAM JAMES BUTLER,

Advice has been received of the death this moaning at. 2 o’clock at Wellington of Mr William J. Butler, managing director of the firm of Butler Bros., Ltd., of Raiatapu, which took place after a long illness. The deceased has been identified with the sawmilling business for a long period 1 of years. His firm purch’sed the Hokitika Harbour Board endowment resei’ve, and established the large, mill at Rratapu, which,,ha® been very successfully carried on over,a long periodof yeas. Mr Butler was a very successful chairman of the International Exhibition held at Hokitika, and has taken a keen interest in public matters, particularly. the Chamber of Commer.e, Pre-gross League, and the Westland Power Board of the latter of which he was chairman. Deceased was bora at Leamington, England, in 18-58 and was therefore 74 years of age. He arrived in New Zealand in 1874, and‘engaged’ in gold •/ mining, fanning, bridge . contracting tind finally lie took up large sawmilling interests and was president of the k Dominion Federated iSawmillers Association for many yeans. Deceased : leaves a widow and "one brother, Mr Joseph Butler. The deceased wa® a fine type of a citizen and was highly respected by all who knew him. His ;: death will be regretted by a wide 7 circle of friends all ovqr ftew Zealand, who will extend sympathy to his widow, and relatives.