Obituary MR P. W. LITCHFIELD

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28869, 14 April 1959, Page 10

Obituary MR P. W. LITCHFIELD

The death has occurred of Mr P. W. Litchfield who was associated with the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Company, Akron, in the United States, for 58 of the company’s 60 years. He was 83. Starting with Goodyear in 1909 Mr Litchfield became a board member in 1906, was appointed vice-president in 1915, in 1926 (assumed the office of president

and in 1930 became chairman of the board—positions he held until 1940. In that year he relinquished the presidency but retained the board chairmanship. When he decided to retire from the board quite recently, Mr Litchfield was asked to accept the office of honorary chairman in order that Goodyear should not lose the benefit of his long experience.

Mr Litchfield was responsible for many innovations contributing to the growth and progress, not only of his company, but of the whole rubber industry. Under his directions came such outstanding accomplishments as the first pneumatic cord truck tyre, the first pneumatic farm tractor tyre and the first pneumatic aeroplane tyre. Mr Litchfield has served many organisations. He was past president of the Rubber Manufacturers’ Association, former director of the United States Chamber of Commerce and an executive board member of the Boy Scouts of America. He also belonged to the Wings Club and National Air Council and Navy League. Mr Litchfield was known to a wide circle of persons in the rubber industry throughout the world and is particularly well remembered in New Zealand. MR H. P. JEFFERY "The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, April 12. The death has occurred of Mr Harold Peter Jeffery, one of the most popular and able diplomatic officers of the Department of External Affairs. He was 34. Mr Jeffery joined the Public Service in the Prime Minister’s Department in 1940. He was private secretary to the' late Sir Frederick Doidge when he was Minuter of External Affairs, and went with him to several overseas conferences. After a period as protocol officer of the pepartment he was posted to Washington, where he remained for four and a half years as Second Secretary of the New Zealand Embassy. He returned to New Zealand last year to rejoin the Department. Mr. Jeffery was well known as a broadcast pianist before he left New Zealand. He is survived by his wife and two children. MR P. M. GLENIE "The Press" Special Service OAMARU, April 12. Mr. P. M. Glenie, one of the best-known horticulturists in the South Island, died in Oamaru recently. His rose gardens at “Meadowbank” were well known even beyond Oamaru. , ’ Mr. Glenie was a prominent member of the New Zealand Rose Society, and his grounds were the setting for a number of gatherings. One of his outstanding achievements in the horticultural field was the initiation of last year’s North Otago floral festival and its sequel —North Otago participation in the Christchurch festival this year and a decision to hold another festival in Oamaru next year. His association with floral enthusiasts in Christchurch and Dunedin contributed much towards the success of the North Otago festival. Mr. Glenie, a well-known businessman, was president of the Oamaru sub-centre of the St. John Ambulance Association and vicepresident of the Otago Centre. He had also been president of the North Otago Retailers’ Association. Mr. Glenie is survived by his wife and son. MR J. T. PRIESTNALL One of the leading hairdressers and tobacconists in Christchurch many years ago, Mr John Thomas Priestnail died recently at Randwick, Sydney. He was 92. Mr Priestnall’s business was In

Colombo street in the United Service Hotel block for about 40 years. He went to Australia about 30 years ago, and had a tobacconist’s business in Coogee until he retired.

He was also associated with a firm which pioneered the production of concrete blocks in Christchurch. Mr Priestnall was educated at the old West Christchurch School and was an excellent runner. He had many sporting interests in later years, and was an excellent judge of form in racing and trotting. He is survived by three daughters and three sons.