NOTED ENGINEER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1932, Page 12

NOTED ENGINEER.

MR. ASHLEY HUNTER DIES PART IN MANY UNDERTAKINGS.

One of the best known civil engineers in the Auckland district, Mr. Aehley John Barsley Hunter, of Gladstone Road, Parnell, died on May 26 aged 78 years. Mr. Hunter had been in New Zealand for over CO years. Hβ was born in Middlesex, England, his father, Mr. John A. Hunter, being a merchant.

Mr. Hunter's connection with civil engineering goes back to very early days. In conjunction with the late Mr. James Stewart he was responsible for the laying out of most of the early railways in "the Auckland Province. When he resumed private practice in Auckland he was mainly engaged in mining engineering. During the heyday of the gold mining in the North Island, and also on the West Coaet of the South Island, he was entrusted with many important works. One of his last in connection with mining was the planning of the railway lino for the Waipa Collieries, Ltd., and he also supervised the construction. The high professional skill and remarkably varied experience of Mr. Hunter were responsible for him being appointed by the Government to many important commissions, one of the most recent being the Inland Waterways Commission. In the profession he was regarded as a man of exceptional knowledge and judgment, and these, added to his unique experience, made his opinion eagerly sought in the profession, and his findings always carried great weight. He was a past president of the New Zealand Institute of Civil Engineers and ho was a member of the council of the Institute of Civil Engineers in England from 1930 until his death.

Although he was first and foremost a civil engineer, Mr. Hunter wiie also a member of the Mechanical Engineers' Society and an architect. He had a nice taste in art, and about 30 years ago gave evidence of his versatility by drawing cartoons for the "Xew Zealand Graphic," published, by the "Star." Mr. Hunter had a dry sense of humour, and his political cartoons of Seddon and the other giants were keenly discussed, anil enjSyed.

Mr. Hunter ie survived by his wife, formerly Mise Halliday; and. two sons. The interment was private.