OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 24, 28 July 1927, Page 13

OBITUARY

MR. NEWTON KING

(By Telegraph.—Press Association;)

PLYMOUTH, 27th Julj. The sudden death of Mr. Newton King at his home at New Plymouth yesterday, at the age of 72, closed the career of the best-known man in Taranaki. He had a huge commercial business, spreading over practically every corner of the province, with influence's far bevoncl.

_ The late Mr. Newton King was associated with the commercial, social, and sporting life of Taranaki from its early days. At the age of twenty-three he commenced the agency business, which steadily grew up through lean times and times of plenty, always progressing under the guiding hand of the man who had an unwavering faith in the future of the province and the Dominion. A very large number of farmers received financial advances from him, and with this connection his business advanced to tremendous proportions, covering practically every requirement of the farming and business community. In 1920 the business was turned into a limited liability company. The late Mr. King was prominently connected with the development of the dairying industry, and his stock agency and general business was so much part of the province that lie was familiarly known as "the King of Taranaki." Ail early representative footballer, Mr. King later became well known, as a racehorse owner, and his stable has been responsible for some notable victories. He has been a member of the New Plymouth Harbour Board for many years, and chairman for a long period, the Newton King Wharf being a monument to his work in connection with the development of the port. He was associated with numerous other bodies, and the snapping of a link so unexpectedly will leave a gap in the lifo of the province. For ten days Mr. King had been suffering from a severe cold, and yesterday morning his medical adviser ordered him to remain in bed. Though serious consequences were not anticipated, Mr. King collapsed and died at 1.30.

The late Mr. Newton King commenced his career as a clerk at the age of about fifteen in Webster Bros., leading, merchants in New Plymouth. Eventually he left that firm, and went into business on his own account as an auctioneer, and his business developed greatly. An energetic man, Mr. King was down at his office at 8 o'clock each morning. By many he was known as the man who made the butter industry in New Zealand. At one time he was the guiding figure in twentynine cream factories, and in the early days he used to tin butter and send it to the Pacific Islands. His associates in the cream factories were a Mr. George and Mr. Bichard Cock, who at one time was Mayor of New Plymouth, and is still alive to-day. The late Mr. King was associated with Mr. Cock in many enterprises.

The late Mr. King had a very fine residence and magnificent gardens, the beauty of which attracted many visitors. A first, cousin of the late Mr. King, Mr. C W. Chilman, of Wellington, remembers a number of incidents connected with the gardens. "Mr. King specialised in all native plants and trees," said Mr. Chilman, to-day. "He had some beautiful full-grown trees, notably a chestnut, which had foliage that came right down to the ground. Some idea of the size of the tree can be gained from the fact that 200 people at tea under the tree could not be observed. No one would know they wore there but for the noise. Mr. King used to throw the gardens open to the public on Sundays. Those gardens were a sight, and visitors to New Plymouth made a point'of inspecting them.

"Mr. King's gardens," continued Mr. Chilinan, "adjoined the big recreation ground iv New Plymouth. I remember Mr. King used to enjoy pluying a greaj; joke. He would invite people to his house for dinner, and would not let them know the close proximity of the. recreation ground. He would show them round his gardens aud would then lead them through a little gate into the recreation ground. After the tour had been completed ho would ask them: 'Well, what do you think of my place?' Not knowing that they had been through the recreation ground as well, many a visitor has replied: 'My ivora, Mr. King, you have got an enormous place.' They would then tie invited into dinner."

Mr. Chilman stated that the late Mr. King's father started tho Bank of New Zealand in New Plymouth, and was really responsible "for the harbour works which Mr. Newton King carried

Sir Truby King is a younger brotuer of the late Mr. Newton King, and Dr. Marchant is a nephew. Mr.. King loaves a grown-up family of two daughters, both of whom aro married, and three sons, the oldest of whom, Truby, is a lawyer in Stratford.

The late Mr. King at tho time of his death was president of the Taranaki Jockey Club, and he had played a prominent part in the government of racing in Taranaki for a long number of years. Oration, who ran consistently at the recent Wellington Meeting, carried his colours, whilo Stork Avon tho Taranaki and Egmont Cups f-i- aim in 1925. .