Mr. Herbert Kissling Dies Suddenly

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 660, 11 May 1929, Page 1

Mr. Herbert Kissling Dies Suddenly

INSURANCE LEADER CAREER OF ACHIEVEMENT The death occurred suddenly at his residence, Parnell, this morning. of Mr. John Herbert Percy Kissling, general manager of the Hew Zealand Insurance Company. Mr. Kissling had just returned from a fishing trip to Taupo. men played such a big part in Australian and New Zealand insurance circles as Mr. Kissling. Born In Blenheim, in IS6B, Mr. Kissling came to Auckland as a lad and was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell. He joined the New Zealand Insurance Company’s Auckland branch in 1884 and in 1888 was transferred to the company's Melbourne branch. In

1893 he was appointed manager of the Ballarat branch. From that centre he was transferred to Launceston (Tasmania), where he held the managerial position until he was promoted to the position of secretary of the company in 1906. The year 1911 found him installed in the position of manager of the Auckland branch. In 1919 he was appointed generalmanager of the company. His retirement from active, business was announced to take place from the end of the present month. Mr. Kissling saw the New Zealand Insurance Company grow from a comparatively small New Zealand concern to one with a substantial connection in most parts of the Southern Hemisphere, a company which today draws the greater part of its premium income from outside New Zealand. Throughout the whole of his life Mr. Kissling was a keen lover of sport. He represented Auckland for many years' at cricket, captaining the provincial eleven on several occasions. He held a similar position for the Ballarat representative team. He was also a prominent footballer. During later years he was a keen fisherman.

Outside his business activities Mr. Kissling was a prominent worker in movements working for the good of the community. He was a warden of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Parnell, and served for a term on the governing hoard of the Diocesan Girl’s High School. He also served in a similar capacity with King’s Preparatory School. He was active in relief work during the influenza epidemic in Auckland. Mr. Kissling was a member of the Masonic Order and a keen Rotarian. In 1897 Mr. Kissling married Miss May Byron Tuthili, of Tasmania. He is survived by Mrs. Kissling, a daughter, Miss Meg Kissling, and two sons, Messrs. Trevor and John Kissling, all of Auckland.