LEADING CITIZEN DIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 902, 20 February 1930, Page 8

LEADING CITIZEN DIES

MR. NEWCOMB SUCCUMBS TO LONG ILLNESS WAS HONOURED BY KING A prominent figure in Auckland for more than 45 years, Mr. Neville Newcomb, died at an early hour this morning. Born in Stamford, Lincolnshire. 64 years ago, Mr. Newcomb migrated to New Zealand in 18S4, in the ship ; Firth of Durnock, principally for health reasons, accompanied by his elder brother, Mr. Stanley Newcomb, who is at present in business in Auckland. He was one of 12 sons of an old Lincolnshire family, which was at one time associated with. the control of the Stamford “Mercury,” the oldest provincial paper in England. Two other brothers, Mr. Guy Newcomb, of Havelock North, and Mr. Albert Newcomb, of Auckland, also subsequently settled in the Dominion. From ISB9 to 1593 Mr. Neville Newcomb was connected with the firm of Archibald Clark and Sons, 'warehousemen, and about 31 years ago he started a land agency business in Auckland, eventually building up a very strong business. The business was formed into a limited liability company about 1922, a nephew, Mr. R. S. Newcomb, joining the founder on the directorate. The firm also acted as New Zealand attorneys for the General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Company. Limited. Mr. Newcomb held the rank of captain in the Now Zealand Motor Corps and was appointed commandant of the New Zealand Tunnelling Corp’s camp at Avondale at the outbreak of the Great War. From there he was transferred, as adjutant to the training camp at Tauherenikau, subsequently transferring to Featherston with the troops when the latter camp was built. He was promoted to major in 1917, bis services during the war gaining him the Order of the British Empire award, which was conferred on him at Buckingham Palace by his Majesty the King. Mr. Newcomb was for many years president of the Auckland Automobile Association and was connected with the English Freemasons, being a past district grand senior warden of the Auckland district. lie married Miss Jane Wilson Wiseman, eldest daughter of the late Mr. James Wiseman. There are two sons —Mr. Neville IT. Newcomb, who has entered- the business, and Mr. H. J. Newcomb, who is at school in England- and one daughter, Mrs. I Vaughan-Philpott, of Kenya, East Africa. Mr. Neville Newcomb had been in indifferent health for some years and since the war made three trips to England, partly for health and partly for business reasons. His last trip was taken in .1928, and he returned last November, being practically confined to his bed ever since.