" Close To Paradise " New Plymouth

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30219, 26 August 1963, Page 10

" Close To Paradise " New Plymouth

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH. Aug. 25. The author of Britain’s mammoth heavy transport industry combine stood in the sunshine of Pukekura Park this morning and told of his decision to settle in New Plymouth. Ten years ago Sir Robert Fryars, then chairman of the multi-million pound A.E.C. group, made a flying visit to New Plymouth during a world tour to reorganise his Arm’s sales system. He looked at New Plymouth, liked it and told City Council officials with whom he was discussing transport problems: “One day I will come back and live here.” That day has come. In 10 years, a lot of it spen< in touring the world. Sir Robert Fryars did not lose his desire or determination to make New Plymouth the city of his retirement. After only two days in the city. Sir Robert Fryars’ youngest daughter, Margaret,

. aged 15. is a pupil of New i Plymouth Girls’ High School, complete with regulation uniform. The rest of his family will remain in Britain where they have settled in jobs. Sir Robert Fryars’ activities have varied from engii neering to lecturing in philosophy degree subjects at a : German university. Asked why he chose New i Plymouth as a place to settle he gave reasons. “Uje climate and the climate of the people. The i unspoiled beauty of the : countryside. I don’t know • what paradise is like but this is as close to it as one is likely to get. “The people are friendly, kindly, hard-working, industrious, intelligent. There is no trace of swank ar snobbery. And in the city there ' is no political bias; decisions are made not tor political reasons but because they are the risit things to do.”