Chch footwear manufacturer dead

Press, 4 December 1979, Page 12

Chch footwear manufacturer dead

Mr Harrv Burrowes Duckworth, a prominent Christchurch shoe manufacturer who was recently elected patron of the Canterbury and West Coast branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society, has died _ in Christchurch. He was 88. Mr Duckworth began work in 1906 as an apprentice in his father’s firm, Duckworth. Turner, and Company, Ltd. His first job was to sharpen the bootmakers’ knives. After completing his apprenticeship Mr Duckworth spent two years in Australia studying production methods. On his return to Christchurch he took over the factory management from his father, who had been injured in a workshop accident. He became a director of the company in 1915 and in 1930. upon his father’s death, was appointed chairman of directors. Mr Duckworth was a past president of the Manufacturers’ Federation, the Footwear Manufacturers’ Association, and the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association. He

was a life member of the latter two bodies. He was also chairman of the Sydenham and Suburban Money Club for 35 years, and a director for 50 years. He was a past president of the Christchurch Rotary Club.

Mr Duckworth was associated with the Canterbury-West Coast branch of the Crippled Children Society for many vears and was elected its patron this year. He spent 13 vears on the executive on "Heritage (Canterbury), and was a past chairman and was a member of the management committee of Langford House Home for the Aged for more than 20 vears. He was a past president and life member of the Christchurch Businessmen’s Club, a past great chief and life member of the Christchurch Savage Club, and president of the Crippled Young Men’s Club (now the Fellowship Club for Handicapped Advisory Board) since its inception more than 20 years ago. Mr Duckworth is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.