MR. B. E. WILLIAMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 13

MR. B. E. WILLIAMS

DEATH AT MILFORD The death at Milford yesterday of Mr. Benjamin Emrys Williams removes from activity a man whose enterprise in 1922 led to the now famous Takapuna transit wrangle. Arriving in Devonport in 1921, Mr. Williams organised motor-bus services in that suburb. Numerous applications from Takapuna people who found that the trams had come to a halt to run special trips, led him to eventually start a motor-bus service from Devonport to Takapuna. The combined venture proved too big a task, financially, and the Takapuna service was then carried on by his son-in-law, Mr. A. Smith, who ultimately became the central figure in the remarkable series of legal actions connected with Takapuna transport. The late Mr. Williams resided for many years at Dargaviile, being chairman of the County Council there before the town was formed into a borough. He also served on the borough council. His enterprise was well known, but misfortune dogged him, and he never reaped the fruits of the schemes he had the vision to plan and begin. Mr. Williams had been seriously ill for the last 12 months, but during the Takapuna campaign he took a very active part, and the stress finally compelled him to take to his bed. His decease at the comparatively early age of 61 is much regretted, for his optimism had made him many friends.