MR. F. W. COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 179, 30 July 1932, Page 12

MR. F. W. COURT.

NINETY-SECOND BIRTHDAY. FAR-SIGHTED BUSINESSMAN. For a man who had twice to give up business On account of ill health, Mr. F. W. Court, of Belwyn Street, Onehunga, has not done eo badly; he is edebrating hie ninety-second birthday to-day. The name is one of the best known ih Auckland, and the businesses that have given a name to two pftrticu* larly well-known corners were started by the sturdy old gentleman whose birthday cake bristles with so many candles. He was born in Worcestershire In 1940, being the son Of ft needlcinaker Of Feckenham, and wafe apprenticed to a grocery business. That Was obviously not his fate, and he was then put to learn the drapery business. From the very first he liked the trade, and but for ill health he would probably never have seen New Zealand. When it wag decided that he would have to leave the Old Country, he and his two brothers decided to come out) to New Zealand, and Mr. 8 , . W. Court arrived in Auckland in 1886, the Bame year as the TaraWera eruption. In epita of the! fact that everything pointed to failure, he etarted two businesses, one in Queen Street, opposite the Bank of New Zealand, and one in Karangahape Road, ftt the corner of Liverpool Street. His optimism and his judgment were amply justified. The businesses are to-day housed in the same streets but not quite the same spot, and are among the mo«t flourishing in the Dominion. Mr, Court's health, after flvo years in Aucklandj compelled him to retire from active affairs, and the businesses* were taken over by his brothers, Mr. John Court, of Tonsonby, another hardy veteran, and the late Mr. George Court. It is not usual to find three brothers all engaged in the same business, and so remarkably successful over such a long period of years. Mr. F. W< Court was married in IS6D, the year he started business on his own account in Worcestershire, and he and Mrs. Court celebrated their golden wedding three years ago, There are two sons and a daughter, Mr. W. T. Court, of Onehunga, Mr. G. A. Court, of Mailgeic, and Mrs. E. B. Wright, of Oneliunga.