PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 146, 21 June 1923, Page 7

PERSONAL MATTERS

Mr. George Wright, who died at Auckland last week, at the age of 79. was born in 1844, and came to New Zealand with his brothers and sisters in . 1860. For a while he worked on the Otago goldfields, but in 1868 he went to Fiji, and set up in the cotton-growing ' business. The country was then not wholly free from savagery and cannibalism. As cotton-growing became less profitable, Mr. Wright turned his attention to the planting of coconut trees, and his plantation soon became one of the finest in the group. For many years he was, in addition, one of Suva's largest suppliers of meat. Coffee growing next engaged his attention, and he met with such success in this direction that .he received a medal from the FrancoBritish Exhibition for his exhibit of coffee. About twenty years ago Mr. Wright made a home in Auckland for his wife and family, but continued himself on his plantation until about twelve years ago. Daring his long residence in the Islauds he experienced many adventures. ' On his long recruiting voyages made in a cutter before the time when the Government took over iho recruiting he suffered shipwreck on several occasions. Twice his plantation was seriously damaged by hurricane.