LONG CAREER ENDS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 9

LONG CAREER ENDS

SIR WILLIAM HUNT DEAD WIDE BUSINESS INTERESTS LEADER IN PASTORAL AFFAIRS (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Monday The death occurred in Wellington last evening of Sir William DufTus Hunt, managing director of Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd, and chairman of directors of the Australian Mutual Provident Society (New Zealand branch), aged 72. Commencing his career as a shepherd on a Central Otago station in 1885, Sir William Hunt rose to acquire wide business interests and become a prominent figure In agricultural and pastoral affairs. Me had been managing director of Wright, Stephenson and Company, Limited, since 1906, when the limited liability company was formed, and chairman of directors since 1907. After becoming in turn head shepherd and manager of the “Blackstone

Hill* sheep station, Central Otago, Sir William in 1891 opened a branch in Gore for Wright, Stephenson and Company. Five years later he opened a branch in Invercargill, which he managed until T9l*B, when he went to Wellington. iHe became a partner in 1899.

Sir William was also managing director of Abraham and Williams, Limited; chairman of directors of the Wairarapa Frozen Meat Company, Limited; New Zealand chairman of the Australian Mutual Provident Society; a director of the Wellington Meat Export Company, Limited; chairman of the Challenge Phosphate Company; a director of Macky, Logan, Caldwell, Limited, and many other companies. Sir William had been a member of the council of the New Zealand Agricultural Society since its inception, and treasurer since 1924, and held office in the National Friesian and Romney Breeders’ Association. Work On Commission* iHe was chairman of the Public Service Royal Commission in 1912, chairman of the Taxation Committee in 1923, a member of the Royal Commission on Taxation, 1924, and of the New Zealand Board of Agriculture in 1912-15. In addition to having been a member of the Meat Export Control Board he held a number of important commercial positions, and was closely identified with the work of the breed societies. In 1935 he was appointed chairman of directors and one of the State directors of the former Mortgage Corporation. Born at Mongomuni in 1867, the late Sir William Hunt was the son of John and Maria Francis (nee Duffus) Hunt, both of the Waikato. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Ismene Stanley, only daughter of the Rev. T. L. Stanley, of Gore, and his second Miss Jessie Edwards, youngest daughter of the Rev. H. J. Edwards. His wife and two sons, Messrs John and William Hunt, survive him. His only daughter, Airs Leslie McFarland, wife of Mr R. D. McFarland, of Hamilton, died in 1923. RATANA DEAD MAORI PROPHET AND HEALER PREPARATIONS FOR TANGI (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) WANGANUI, Monday Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana, the Maori prophet and faith leader, died to-day at his home at Hatana Pa, near Wanganui, after a rather long illness. The date for his burial is not yet known, but preparations are being made for a tangi, which it is expected will he attended by followers of his faith throughout New Zealand.