Death Of Mr W. K. Francis At Rotorua

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 19 July 1957, Page 6

Death Of Mr W. K. Francis At Rotorua

A man vvell known and respected in Taupo, as he was in many parts of the Auckland province, Mr William Knapp Francis died at Rotorua last Sunday in his 78th year, after a period of indifferent health. The late Mr Francis was born at East Durham. He came out to New Zealand at the age of 17 ; when he landed at Auckland he had only lOd in his pocket He found his way to Opunake in Taranaki, and for a while worked in the bush, then took a job at a dairy factory which started in the district. Because of his innate ability he managed at different times two dairy factories, one of them at Okato. After several years in the dairy industry he secured the lease of the Oeo Hotel on the coast. He married Miss Isabel Clare Tldd, of Nelson, who met him during a visit to Opunake. Was Farmer Some years later he became the proprietor of the Masonic Hotel at Cambridge, where he lived for four years. Afterwards he took up farming at Waotu, near Putaruru, on a 4000 acre farm which is now divided imto 13 good farms. He was there about four years before they moved to Alfriston, just out of Manurewa, where they were throughout the 1914-18 war. The influenza epidemic which came in the train of the war left him a virtual invalid for some time, and as a result he left the farm and settled at Papakura, where he became an estate and insurance agent. After 19 years there he left in 1935 and went to Auckland, where he established a similar business at the Dilworth Building at the corner of Queen and Custom Street. Ten years ago he sold out and retired to ^Maraetai Beach. He came to Taupo a little over four years ago for a visit and liked the town so much that he decided to settle permanently. Had Many Interests The late Mr Francis was fond of horses, and since he left Papakura he owned either a trotter or galloper. His best-known trotter was Francis Lincoln, with which he won no fewer than nine races. He had many interests. At Papakura he was Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge, he held the office of Grand Pursuivant in the New Zealand Grand Lodge, and he was afoundation member and president of the Papakhra Orphans G'lub for many years. He subsequently became well known among members of Auckland Orphans C.lub. a During the war he was O.C:. "A" Squadron of the Leglon of Frontiersmen at Auckland, and when he came to Taupo he joined the local troop. Last Tuesday his friends and former colleagues paid their last tributes to him at his funeral here. The Rev. H. Tarigohau officiated, and members of the Masonic Lodge and the Legion of Frontiersmen were at the graveside. His first wife * predeceased him in 1939, and in 1942 he was married to Mrs Eilsie Pearse, of Mount Albert, Auckland. He leaves his wife and family comprising Mildred (Mrs S. D. Hibbard), of St. Heliers, Auckland; Bill (Mr W. K Francis), of Papakura ; Cliff, of Masterton ; Roh, of Papatoetoe ; Joy (Mrs P. iSinclair), of Manly, Whangaparao Peninsula.