OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 267, 10 November 1934, Page 12

OBITUARY.

Mfr. W. B. LEYLAND. LEADING TIMBEE MERCHANT. A leading figure in the timber industry of Auckland, Mr. William Brack Leyland, died" yesterday at his residence, Marine Parade, at the age of SI years. Before coming to New Zealand 55 years ago Mr. Leyland had an adventurous career, but obtained experience in the vocation in which he made a noted success in this city. After being associated with several timber interests in Auckland, he joined the late Mr. J. J. O'Brien, and at the time of his death was managing director of the Leyland-O'Brien Timber Company. , As a youth of 14 Mr. Leyland ran away to sea, and after going through a naval training ho served three and a half years on the American and West Indies station, his first vessel being the corvette Racoon. In 1877 he left the service and married Miss Mary Thomas, daughter of Mr. J. Turner Thomas, of Cheshire. He then lived at Wigaji, and was employed by several timber firms in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Impressed by the prospects in the colony, he decided with his wife to come to New Zealand in 1879, and lie wrote to the captain of the barque Lebu, 720 tons, offering to work the passage for himself, his wife and their baby. His enterprise was rewarded, and he was signed on at a shilling a month. On arrival he began to eaniift livelihood in the railway, but was soOn associated with the leading timber firms of the city. He first joined the Auckland Timber Company, Ltd., and later was appointed foreman at Jagger and Parker's mill. In 1888 the Kauri Syndicate began largo buying operations in the province, and Mr. Leyland was engaged by it. Ho then branched out in a business partnership with Mr. O'Brien, who remained in the firm until 1912.

Civic Service. Mr. Ley land had served as a member of the Auckland Harbour Board and on the council of the Chamber of Commerce. He was an enthusiastic member of the Automobile Association, and was its president in 1905. Ho was a member of the executive of the Patriotic and War Belief Association, president of the National Defence League from its inception, president of the Pacific Club for 13 years, and of the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Veterans' Association. He was president of the Auckland Sawmillers' Association and Timber Merchants' Association from 1913 to 1923. In 1909 he was a member of the Commission on the timber and building industries. In October, 1927, Mr. and Mrs. Leyland celebrated their golden wedding, and they wero made a presentation by Royal Naval and marine veterans who had regularly received their hospitality on Trafalgar Day. Mr. Leyland ia survived by his wife, and of a family of five sons and five daughters seven are living: Mr. S. H. Leyland, co-managing director of Leyland O'Brien and Company, Ltd., who lives at Heme Bay; Mr. Alfred Leyland, Heme Bayj Mr. F. Leyland, Taurangaj Mrs. G. W. Spragg, Heme Bay; Mrs. W. S. Johnston, Heme Bay; Mrs. A. S. Bell, Rcmuera; and Mrs. A. W. Blomfield, Birkenhead. There are 22 grandchildren.