COAST BRIDGE CONTRACTOR: LATE MR. WILLIAM NICOL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23316, 27 July 1950, Page 6

COAST BRIDGE CONTRACTOR: LATE MR. WILLIAM NICOL

For many years recognised as one of the most dependable contractors working in the East Coast districts. Mr. William Nicol passed away in Wellington on Tuesday after a lengthy illness. Many of the highway and county road bridges throuhgout the district bore testimony to the soundness of his work, and during his active career Mr. Nicol’s services were much sought atfer in respect of public works where experience and skill were required to overcome special problems. His retirement from business, due to increasing ill-health, was regarded as a substantial blow to the public-works programme throuhgout the East Coast. One of his later major contracts was for the construction of the Waiapu bridge, on the main highway near Ruatoria.

Born at Waihola, Otago, Mr. Nicol was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart Nicol and in his earlier -years was a member of the Public Service. Later he entered the contracting business and in pursuit of his profession moved about the country for a number of years. He married Miss Rachel Borthwick, of Kaitangata, who predeceased him by about 18 months. He leaves one son. Mr. Bruce Nicol, Gisborne, and one daughter, Mrs. Athol Kemp. Gisborne. There are three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A service will be held at Cochrane’s private chapel on Friday at 1.45 p.m., after which the funeral will leave for the Taruheru Cemetery.