BUSINESS LEADER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 227, 24 September 1936, Page 11

BUSINESS LEADER.

MR. JOHN STORMONT'S DEATH. FOUNDER OF BAKING FIRM. One of Auckland's foremost business men, Mr. John Stormont, has died at the age of 73. He was the founder of the well-known bakery firm of Stormonts, Ltd., which he established six weeks before the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. Mr. Stormont had been engaged all his life in the bakery business, and was actively connected with it op till within three days of his death. He laid a personal efficiency foundation for the Stormonts, Ltd.," of to-day, which from figures gathered, is the largest mixed bakery business in the Southern Hemisphere. Founding the Firm. Mr. Stormont started work in New Zealand as a journeyman baker, working for a Mr. Gardiner in Symonds Street, which bakehouse was conducted until recently by Messrs. McKeown and Sons, Ltd. From Auckland lie went to

Gisborne in an endeavour to open a cooperative bakery, but could not find the necessary opportunity to place the venture on an economic footing. On returning to Auckland he again worked for Mr. Gardiner, and then joined up with Messrs. McGregor and Montgomerie, who were partners at that time. From that firm lie went to work with Mr. Ashby, of Dominion Road. Just before the war he took his wife and two elder sons into partnership, and as the business grew he persuaded other sons to join the concern. With the exception of one son, the whole of the shares in Stormonts, Ltd., are held by them and Mr. A. Brownlee. In 1920 he went Home and won the gold medal at the London Exhibition for shortbread. Mr. Stormont was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on August 1, 1803. When two years of age he was taken to Scotland by his parents, and at ten years was apprenticed to a local baker. In 1895 he commenced business on his own account, and the following year won the London Polytechnic Bakery and National Guild's bakery contest. It was in 1907 that Mr. Stormont first came to New Zealand. Wide Sports Interests. Mr. Stormont was keenly interested in sports. He was a trustee of the Auckland Rugby League, and was a part donor of the Stormont Memorial Shield in that code. A keen bowler, he was president of the Rocky Nook Bowling Club, and a member of the I'onsonby Bowling Club. Formerly he was connected with the Ponsonby Swimming Club. He was a Freemason under the English Constitution. Mr. Stormont was married at St. Mary's Church, Battersea, London, in June, 1890, and is survived by his wife and seven sons.