OBITUARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1942, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR DAVID TENNENT. The death occurred yesterday, at Hanmer, following a lengthy illness, of Mr David Tennent, J.P., one of the pioneers of the sawmilling industry on th- West Coast. A native of Motherwell, Scotland, aged 73 years, deceased was educated at' Gartsherrie Academy. He came to New Zealand by the ship Embleton, landing at Port Chalmers in 1883, with his father, who took up the position of manager of the Brunner Collieries. Deceased took up storekeeping at Brunner, but after two years became manager of the sawmilling firm of Paterson, Anderson and Company. He later joined the firm of Stratford, Blair and Company, Ltd., sawmillers, being manager until 1904, when he bought out the Greymouth Sash and Door Company. In the same year, the two

companies were amalgamated, and Mr Tennent became managing director of the firm, which continued to operate sawmills in various parts of the Grey district. He retained an active position in the firm until illhealth compelled his retirement from business several years ago. For more than 15 years, from about 1915, the late Mr Tennent presided over the Sawmillers’ Association. He also took a prominent part in local body administration, and at various periods was a member of the Greymouth Borough Council, the Greymouth Harbour Board, and the Grey Electric Power Board, in its earliest days. He was also an active member of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, a foundation member of the Greymouth Caledonian Society, and a Past Master of the Greymouth Masonic Lodge. Besides his wife, a daughter of the late Mr William Blair, senr., he leaves two daughters, Mrs H. Hooper and Miss Christina K. Tennent (both of Greymouth) and one son, Mr Blair Tennent (Palmerston North). Another son was killed in the Great War. He is also survived by one brother, Mr John Tennent (Greymouth). The interment, which will be private, will take place at Christchurch.