MR. W. R. HUME.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 25, 29 July 1943, Page 7

MR. W. R. HUME.

INVENTOR OF SPUN CONCRETE PIPES. Advice has recently been received in. New Zealand of the passing on July 21, 1943, in Melbourne, of Mr. W. R. Hume, Managing Director of Hume Pipe (Australia) Ltd., and Hume Steel, Ltd. , Mr. Hume's life is the romance of steel and concrete, for it was as far back as 1892 that he, together with his brother, Mr. E. J. Hume, commenced a partnership which was to lead to big things. When he first commenced business his total capital was only 10s; today the Hume Pipe and Hume Steel Companies have a capital of £1,500,000. Mr. Hume was responsible for a number of inventions which have revolutionised the concrete and welding steel pipe industry. His original invention of using centrifugal force for the manufacturing of concrete pipes laid the foundation for the present world-wide firm. It is of interest to note that New Zealand was the first place outside Australia to adopt Hume Pipe. This was in 1916. In 1922 Hume Pipe (Far East Coy.) was started and made steady progress until the time of the Japanese invasion. From a small beginning Hume Pipe and'Hume Steel tinder the direction of the late Mr. W. R. Hume have attained world-wide eminence as pipe manufacturers. The results of Mr. Hume's inventions have been of great benefit to Australia and also New Zealand, and the principles which he evolved are now in world-wide use. The late Mr. Hume was very sympathetic and he was always planning for the continual improvement of conditions for his employees. Recently, welfare schemes were planned whereby employees would be adequately housed and the constant fear of old age and unemployment would be banished. Throughout his life Mr. Hume had been a man of very high ideals and had whenever opportunity offered, carried these into effect. The results of Mr. 1 Hume's inventions have not only addedl considerably towards the progress of Australian and New Zealand industrial and commercial life, but will do so for many years to come.—Advt.