Obituary

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 551, 2 January 1929, Page 14

Obituary

MR. A. A. THORNTON With the death at Morrinsville of Mr. A. A. Thornton, New Zealand has lost the most outstanding figure in the dairy produce industry. The first dairy produce grader appointed when the present system was inaugurated, Mr. Thornton had spent 32 years of life as a grader, most of which were spent in Auckland. Formerly in the employ of a firm of produce merchants in Christchurch, he started as a boy and eventually rising to be buyer. From there he entered the employ of the Government when the grading system was introduced, being stationed at Wellington and Lyttelton before receiving a transfer to Auckland as chief grader for the province. Probably no industry in the Dominion can boast such a well-known figure. While stationed in Lyttelton Mr. Thornton’s duties took him south and he was as familiar a figure in Invercargill and Dunedin as he was in the North. Starting with the system, as he did, Mr. Thornton was thoroughly conversant with every detail of the industry, and his whole energies were directed toward the furtherance of the dairy produce business as a Dominion asset. At farmers’ meetings and conferences he took opportunity to urge the necessity of concentrating on the industry', and so well known was he that he was known to his associates as “Father Thornton,” and recognised as the father of the dairy produce business. Possessed of abundant energy and untiring enthusiasm, Mr. Thornton had the happy gift of conveying his ideas and energy to all those with whom he came in contact. He was greatly respected among producers, manufacturers and merchants alike, and his death will be deeply regretted all over New Zealand. Mr. Thornton retired bout a year ago, but still retained the deepest interest in the work in which he had so long been engaged. About 64 years of age, Mr. Thornton had been in indifferent health for some time, his death not being entirely unexpected. He is survived by a widow and his father, Mr. A. E. Thornton, of Auckland, also by a sister, Mrs. Atthill, Melbourne, and his daughter, Mrs. S. S. Russell, of Morrinsville. The funeral will take place at Auckland on Friday.

THE REV. JOHN RYLEY Press Associatio?i DUNEDIN, To-day. The death is reported of the Rev. John Ryley at the age of 94. He was associated with the very early history of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. He was ordained in 1867.