LOSS TO AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 30, 28 April 1927, Page 9

LOSS TO AUCKLAND

DEATH OF MR. R. H. ABBOTT ADVENTURE AND ACHIEVEMENT The death of Air. R. H. Abbott removes from the business community of Auckland a lovable and genial personality and one who was highly respected by all with whom he came into contact. Air. Abbott who had been in failing health for some months, had been confined to his bed latterly, yet his death last Saturday came as a shock to his many friends. Air. Abbott, who was 66 years of age, was born at North Alolton, Devonshire, in 1861. At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a large soft house

in London. Four years later he took up studies at King’s College, London, and entered the Admiralty Department. He resigned the appointment after 18 months’ service, and went on a tour of adventure round the world in 1882, and two years later came to New Zealand. Air. Abbott began his business career in Auckland in 1885, first being in the soft-goods business for six years on his own account. He then organised the firm of Abbott, Oram and Company, warehousemen and wholesale merchants. He retired in 1911 and gave his attention to developing enterprises in the city. He acted as chairman of directors of numerous companies devoted to these schemes, and was chairman of the Waiatarua Drainage Board which successfully drained the submerged land round Lake St. John. Air. Abbott bought 100 acres of the reclaimed area and gave it to the city as a sports’ park. He was president of the Chess Association of New Zealand, and vice-president of a number of sporting clubs. Mr. Abbott is survived by his widow and four sons, Mr. A. W. Abbott, Mr. F. A. Abbott, of London, Air. C. H. Abbott, of Auckland, and Air. A. R. Abbott, of Auckland. Mr. Abbott also leaves one daughter, Mrs. Gordon Armstrong. He is also survived by two brothers, Air. A. J. Abbott and Mr. J. W. Abbott, of Wellington. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place at Purewa on Tuesday afternoon.