obituary Miss L. M. Wilkinson

Press, 14 May 1987, Page 7

obituary Miss L. M. Wilkinson

Miss Lila Myrtle Wilkinson, the first woman in New Zealand to set up her own accounting practice, died recently. She was 92.

Miss Wilkinson was a prominent chartered accountant in Christchurch for 40 years. She began her career with a commercial course at Digbys Commercial College, in Christchurch, and in 1915 took up a position as a

clerk at J. Ballantyne and Company, Ltd.

Miss Wilkinson later worked with H. R. Best, a public accountant, before setting up her own practice, initially from home, and then in 1925 from an office in the T. and G. Building, Hereford Street. Ten years later she was joined by her brother, Leslie, and formed the accounting partnership of Wilkinson and Wilkinson.

She continued as a senior partner in the practice until ill health forced her retirement in 1958. Miss Wilkinson was bom in Dunedin and was educated at George Street and Kaikorai primary schools, then attended Otago Girls’ High School.

She was an active member of the Salvation Army. Her father was one of the Army’s Dunedin foundation members.