OBITUARY

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30480, 30 June 1964, Page 12

OBITUARY

Mr A. M. Bisley Worked To Develop Waikato

Mr A. M. Bisley, who headed an organisation which has become one of the major manufacturers, importers and distributors of agricultural and industrial machinery throughout the country, died suddenly at Hamilton on Saturday. He was 73. At the time of his death Mr Bisley was chairman of directors of A. M. Bisley and Company Ltd., and Bisley’s Industries, Ltd. He was actively engaged in business and civic affairs up to the day of his death. Mr Bisley was born at Nelson in 1891 and was educated at Nelson College. He began his business career with the family firm of Bisley Brothers, of Nelson, and remained with this company until it wound up on the death of one of the partners. In 1920 Mr Bisley settled in Hamilton and founded the firm of A. M. Bisley and Company, grain, seed and produce merchants. Mr Bisley went to the Waikato because even in 1920 he felt the area had a great potential for the future. First Workshop

The company soon acquired several valuable machinery agencies. In an effort to provide extra work during the depression Mr Bisley established his first small machinery workshop, which undertook agricultural machinery repairs and some manufacturing. Under his guidance the company grew steadily and safely weathered the difficult depression days of the 1920’s and the early 1930’5. A public company, A. M. Bisley and Company Ltd., was formed in 1938, and in 1951 Mr Bisley founded the manufacturing company of Bisley Industries Ltd. A. M, Bisley and Company Ltd., opened its first branch in Christchurch in 1948 and later extended its activities to Timaru and Invercargill. Swamp Clearance

One of Mr Bisley’s greatest contributions to the prosperity of the Waikato was his recognition of the potential value of 234 square miles of swamp that lay in a triangle between Ruakura, Orini and Morrinsville. As chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in the 1920’s he induced various small drainage boards to amalgamate and press for Government help. The Government of the day agreed to finance the project provided local farmers

contributed £lOO,OOO. Mr Bisley formed and was president of the Waikato Swamp and Development League, which finally persuaded the Government to assist with the highly successful project at a more reasonable price in 1936. Mr Bisley was active in local body affairs in the Waikato and Hamilton. He was a member of the Hamilton Borough Council, a former chairman of the Hamilton electorate of the National Party and was a past president of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton Rotary Club, the Tree Planting Society, the Manufacturers’ Association and the Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants’ Association. He was one of the oldest surviving members of the Southern Star Masonic Lodge of Nelson and as an old oarsman was a life member and had been president of the Hamilton Rowing Club since 1920.

Mr Bisley is survived by three daughters and four sons.

mr i. McMillan

The death occurred recently of Mr lan McMillan, of 11 Colwyn street, well known in Christchurch as a teacher for 20 years on the staff of the Intellectually Handicapped Children’s School, Merivale lane. Only son of the late Mr and Mrs William McMillan, who farmed at Little Rakaia, Mr McMillan attended the Dorie and Ashburton Schools. When the family moved to Christchurch Mr McMillan studied at Canterbury University College and graduated bachelor of engineering (electrical). As a member of the staff of the electrical section of the Public Works Department he was stationed for some years at Arapuni and Hora Hora. His interest in the problem of handicapped children led him to accept a position on the staff of the Merivale lane school. He was a patient teacher of woodwork and mechanical crafts and made many friends among the boys who came under his care. He retired two years ago.

keenly interested in music, he was a foundation member of the Recorded Music Society. He had taken a close and active interest in radio from its earliest days. Mr McMillan leaves a widow.