GISBORNE PIONEER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12534, 22 April 1935, Page 5

GISBORNE PIONEER

DEATH OF MR. FRED HALL. RESIDENT HERE 58 YEARS. GREAT BUSINESS RECORD. Ono of tho greatest of Gisborne’s pioneers and a resident of the town for tho past 58 years, Mr. Frederick Hall, passed away at his residence early on Saturday evening. A man of remarkable ability lie came here with hardly a penny and in a very few years lie had biiilt up a useful-sized fortune which rapidly expanded until ho owned property in practically all parts of the province and was financially interested ih an amazing number of local activities. There are few people in Gisborne who did not know him and nidtly indeed owe their present positions to the assistance he had rendered them. He had a most likeable personality and a genial greeting for the rhiilti-. fcude of his friends whom lie iised to meet on his daily promenade of the fcbttn; * He will l»e sadly rilissed, blit lie will hot he frirgotteh, for, besides the memory of his over-ready helping hand, there are sturdy memorials of his Work such as the Masonic Hotel, the Regent ahd Majestic Theatres, to mention only three. EARLY ROVING SPIRIT. Tho late Mr. Hall was born in Hilperton, Wiltshire, in 1857, and early ilhdwed most ciiteiprising traits of character. With the foresight, so marked in his later life, he looked at tho world through youthful eyes and decided that thto best opportunities Jay in new arid growing countries. When still only 15 years of age, he said good-bye to his friends in the Homeland and, all alone, sot sail in tho Jane Wishnrt for New Zealand. Tie landed at Auckland iri 1873 and spent about three years In that e'etitro following variobs pursuits. In 1876 he married a daughter of Mr. and Mrs, J. Pohitef, of Auckland, and soon after faff, for H°kiahgri, Briti his stay there was short. With his bride lie canto to Gisborne in the followihg year. The town was then in its infancy and it required the hardy, pioneering spirit and boundless optimism to visualise the prosperity to come. But Mr. Hall saw the possibilities and set (tilt, With admirable courage, to ntdke iVefy post a winning post. BUiifT His OWN home. HiS sbiiuml a section in William str&st arid promptly set about buildiri£ his home. As lib iised to shy, hi* liVed iri tbo hblise as he built it With his Own hands. With some previous hipcrierice of plumbing, tin AVPriiiiig, carpentering ctci., he looked .first to these thdcles for cmployiriefii and beerinib approritlricd to Air. iltirighton who had a small shop opposite the Royal Hotel.. Latch lie bee'airid a partner in the business and hbbtit 1885 became the sole proprietor. came a change to new premises at tfie Derby sti-obt intersection of Gladstone road and. a considerable time litter lie roiriSvod to the present well-kiibWn estabiishriiont which trades uhder the name Of F. Hall and Son. It is only about 15 years ago since Mr. Hall retired from ah active part in the business, but his interest in q has been closely maintained l and, throughout, he has been fully ih touch with its progress. Air. Hall was not tho man to retire into inactivity—his boundless energy would never permit such a step. VARIED BUSINESS INTERESTS. AH'. Hall did not confine himself, by any means, to the business which still, bears his name. Among other activities, ho was associated with carting, a livery stable and an auction mart. There are few trades, indeed, which did not see him it participant at some stage Of his remark-, ablo career in Gisborne. As a carter ho was a partner in the firm of At. K. Burke and Coy until it was merged with the Gisborne Sheepfarihefs’ F.AI. and At. Coy. He was prominently associated with the shipping trade and owned several coastal boats, including the Spray which eventually Went ashore off the end of Grey Street and fragments of which were visible for a very long time. Another of his craft, the Awanui, was wrecked near the island off Haiti beach. Other boats in which Air. Hall was interested included the Ataroro (which ashore at Kidnappers), tfe Elsie Alary arid the Huanui. OWNED MANY MoPERTTES. Air. Hall was a firm believer in real estate as an iiiVbstiiient arid as he built up his fortuiie life purchased several stations. The first of these was the well-known Strathaihu property' and at the time of his death ho still possessed large intj vsu in the Hokoera, Paparatu and Willows stations. He has, at various times, owned literally hundreds Of houses in the town and numerous shops, offices etc. He is lessor of the two tlie'atrcs mentioned earlier. AH. Hall was a partner with tin; late Air. J. A. Harding in .he old Ala sonic Hotel and then became the sole owner. About 1916 he initiated the present handsome structure which will always be a prominent remndier of the great old pioneer. Other hotels he owned included the Waipiro Bay Hotel, and the Ormond Hotel, while he formerly held the license of the British Empire arid Was Interested in more or less degree in many others in the district. GREAT TURF SUCCESS. Mr. Hall’s principal hobby was the turf and in this he built- up a great record. He was formerly a guarantor for the Park Club and in the early days he often purchased the “gates” for a- lump sum. Among the classic winners he owned wore Tauhei (grand-dam of Grand Sport), Gold Lace, Iranui, Obligant, Alirra, Merry Roe (the highest strike earner about the 1014 season), Bleriot, Wairowa, Merry' Damon (who had three wins

nnd a second in 2-year-old races at viii'c Eller.4lie iheetihg), PHiice Jewel nnd Castndia. He also bred many outstanding performers, ainong them being. Merry Mint who was third in a Melbourne Crip. A sterling tribute to Mr. Hall’s fairness in racing is that it was well-known that every horse of his was always a. “trier” when th‘e colors were up. Hfe resdltttfeiy refused to consider starting any horse unless he was assured it was id rurt trii'e. He was a member of the Ivahutia and Gisborne Bowling Clubs, though hot a player, .while he was also a supporter of friendly societies locally. As a- director of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Coy-, he established the fine record.of holding a s'edt on the directorate from the start of the company until this year when health reasons compelled . his retirement. Mrs Hall died about 20 years ago, and subsequently he re-married, but hi,; second wife also pre-deceased Him. The members oi the family, to whom ttoe deepest sympathy will be extended, are Mesdames P. Galloway; C. (). Hansen, arid H. W. Bain, Mias Irene Hall; and Messrs F. T. Hull, IY. A- Hall, aii;t C. E. Hall. All are residents cf Gisborne. There are nine grandchidren. Mr Hall was the . last surviving hVcmber Of his own family find practically iiiis only other • relatives in Hew Zealand are two nephews, Messrs J and F. Francis, of Christchurch. The funeral will leave the late residence, Haiti Esplanade, at 2 p.m. to-day (Monday) for Tarnheru cemetery-