DEATH OF MR. JOHN BELL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 296, 6 March 1928, Page 9

DEATH OF MR. JOHN BELL

PROMINENT COMMERCIAL MAN Auckland commercial men have lost an old and valued associate in the death of Mr. John Bell, one of the principals of Bond and Bell, who died in a private hospital in the early hours of this morning. To-day was Mr. Bell’s 72nd birthday. He had suffered from an illness lasting for nearly two years. Mr. Bell was a native of Crumlin, in the County Antrim, Ulster. He was a member of a large family, and came to New Zealand with his parents, brothers and sisters when in his young manhood, the family settling in the Bay of Plenty district. He possessed every instinct of the pioneer, and he turned his attention to the building up of a business, as well as interesting himself in the progress of dairy production in the province. His first firm was that of E. Potter, with whom he remained for some years before establishing himself on his own account as a general trader in Opotiki. His four brothers-in-law later joined him, and the firm was then known as Bond and Bell, a, name under which it flourished and became widely known throughout the district. Business increased, and about 30 years ago headquarters were transferred to Auckland, and conducted here under the original name, until about nine years ago, when Mr. Bell retired from active- participation. His name will long be remembered in the Bay of Plenty district, where he was in the* forefront of a movement for the establishment of a dairy factory at Opotiki, while in commercial circles of the city his memory will be treasured as that of a keen and honest business man. He is survived by Mrs. Bell, one son, Mr. John M. Bell, of Auckland, and Miss Eunice M. Bell, also of this city.