WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MAN’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 22343, 20 May 1936, Page 12

WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MAN’S DEATH

BODY FOUND IN HARBOUR [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 20. The body of Mr Hubert E. Vaile, one of Auckland’s most progressive business men, was found in the harbour near the Orakei wharf shortly before midday. He left home on Sunday afternoon, and his relatives became concerned :\s to his whereabouts, A boy, ao-ed 15, fishing for sprats from the Orakei wharf on Monday forenoon, hauled up a silver wristlet watch on a hook. The watch was still going. He took it home, and when the family read in last night’s ‘ Star ’ that Mr Vaile was missing they noticed that the watch \?as engraved with Mr Vaile’s initials. They reported the finding of the watch, to the police, who dragged in the vicinity of the wharf this morning, and within a few minutes brought the body to the surface. Mr Vaile was managing director of Messrs Samuel Vaile and Sons, leading real estate agents. He was born in Auckland and educated at the Grammar School. He was always active in social and civic affairs, and took a large part in the establishment of the Auckland War Memorial Museum and scenic reserve in the Waitakore Ranges. He was formerly a member of the Epsom Road Board, was president of the Society of Arts for four years, was associated with the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, the Auckland Savings Bank, was president of the Auckland Institute and Museum for five years, and a member of the council of the institute till the time of his death. In 1929 he unsuccessfully contested the mayoral election against Mr George Baildon, the then sitting mayor.