DEATH OF MR HENRY CORNFOOT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11704, 4 August 1902, Page 4

DEATH OF MR HENRY CORNFOOT.

The news of the death of Mr. Henry Cornfoot, of Halcombe, well known in Wanganui, will be learned here with deep regret by a very large number of townspeople and settlers. Mr. Cornfoot, who was 65 years of age, died suddenly on Saturday evening. The deceased gentleman came to Wanganui about 1879, and bought out Mr. John Duncan’s interest in what is now the Wanganui Sash and Door Company. Mr. Cornfoot carried on the business for some years in partnership with the late William York, trading under the style of York and Cornfoot. When the business was merged in the company Mr. Cornfoot retained a large interest, and took a seat on the directorate, which he has held ever since. Mr. Cornfoot carried out the dishes of manager from 1883 until 1887, in which year the present manager (Mr. F. M. Spurdle) was appointed, Mr. Cornfoot retaining his seat on the directorate. During his residence here Mr. Cornfoot took a prominent part in local politics. He was for some time chairman of the Wanganui Harbour Board, of the membership of which he constituted one of the progressive party. In the wider field of general politics he always took a keen interest, and his opinions on matters of public importance always carried great weight. In the commercial life of the district he was a moving figure. Besides being prominently connected, as already stated, with the important timber industry, Mr. Cornfoot was one of the first directors of the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company, and held office up till the time of his death. Mr. Cornfoot, it may be mentioned, came to Wanganui from the West Coast, where his name is still well remembered by old settlers. About the year 1886 Mr. Cornfoot took up land in the vicinity of Halcombe, where he subsequently established his beautiful home, Silverton. Since leaving Wanganui. Mr. Cornfoot has been identified to a considerable extent with the sawmilling industry on the Central line, Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay district. Last year, in company with Mrs. Cornfoot, he paid an extended visit to the Old Country. Mr. Cornfoot left home on Saturday morning, in his usual health and spirits, for the office of the Manawatu Timber Company, Feilding, of which company he was the managing director. On his return from Feilding Mr. Cornfoot was taken suddenly ill and expired at Halcombe. Mrs. Cornfoot was in Wanganui at the time, and proceeded home by special train immediately on the receipts of the sad tidings. A family of five are left to mourn their loss, viz., Mrs. Mair, of Wanganui, and Messrs. William Cornfoot (Pohangina), George (Waituna), and Henry and James (Halcombe). To the widow and sorrowing relatives we tender our sincere sympathy. The Coast can ill-afford to lose men of the sterling stamp of the late Mr. Cornfoot, who was an excellent type of the colony’s best pioneer settlers, and who was always ready to take an active and intelligent part in furthering the interests of the district (in his case it would be more correct to say “districts”) with which he was associated.