LIFE OF SERVICE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 8

LIFE OF SERVICE

SIR GEORGE H. WILSON DEATH OCCURS IN AUCKLAND WIDE COMMERCES INTERESTS (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Tuesday Well-known in business, patriotic and social circles throughout New Zealand, Sir George Henry Wilson, of Remuern, died in Auckland yesterday in his 70th year. He had not enjoyed good health for some time. Sir George was a prominent figure in the commercial world of Auckland, being best known as the founder of Wilson, Canham and Company and as a pioneer in the development of direct trade with Canada, trade which has now grown to impressive proportions. Early Days In Canada Born at Bradford in 1869, Sir George went to Canada at the age of 21 and was in business for 16 years in Toronto. He came to New Zealand in 1908 to arrange the first shipment of meat, wool and other New Zealand produce to Canada for his firm, this trade being encouraged hy the Canadian Pacific Railways and by the Union Steamship Company, which carried the goods at less than cost. Later 13 branches of the firm were established in New Zealand and in 1910 Sir George decided to settle in New Zealand, living first in Dunedin and later in Auckland. It was through his activity that the Canadian Merchant Marine inaugurated the services which are still operating between the two Dominions.

Many Social Activities

For some years, Sir George had lived in retirement but he had many social activities. During the war he

he helped to initiate many of the funds providing greater comforts for soldiers overseas and he took a leading part in the movement to provide Auckland with new Y.W.C-A. premises, Lady Wilson being president of that movement in Auckland for six years. Until his death, he was a director of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Limited, a commissioner of the City Sinking Funds and of the Auckland Drainage Board Sinking Funds Fund. A trustee of the Knox Home for Incurables and a mpmber of the Y.W.C.A. advisory board, he was also a member of the St. Cuthbert’s College Board of governors and of the council of the Auckland Patriotic Association. He was also associated with the Y.M.C.A., the Red Cross Society and was a member of the Rotary and the Northern Clubs.

Keenly interested in politics he was for many years Auckland provincial president of the Reform Party and when it was suceeded by the National Party lie was provincial president of that party for two years, until his resignation last year. Another of his many interests was art, his good taste being reflected in a choice private collection.

Knighted in the Birthday Honours in 1934, Sir George is survived by Lady Wilson, formerly Miss Eleanor Calverly, of Yorkshire, to whom he was married in 1893.