OBITUARY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 September 1926, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR FREDERICK SEAR LING. Word has been received in Hawera that Mr Frederick Searling died ii\ Auckland this morning. The late Mr ■-Searling arrived in New Zealand about 1861, landing at Dune-din. He* worked ■at- his trade as builder and joiner -in that city for some time, then, like so many others, went- on to the gold dig•gings' in Otago. Later, the* lu-r© of the gold quest- -carried him to the West Coast of the South Island. Towards the end of the ’sixties he removed to Wanganui, where he followed his trade*. Shortly afterwards he went to •Patea, -where he remained 1 for four or ■five years. While resident in Pa-tea* he erected many buildings, including Gibson’s store, which is the building, at present occupied by Gibsons Ltd. From Patea Mr Searing came to llawera*. He built the HaXvera. Opera •House, then known as the Town Hall, and with his partner, Mr Strang, erected' the Empire Hotel, on the* site •of the ore sent White Hart Hotel. He also* built the Commercial Hotel at Normanbv. After a* visit to England he left Hawera for Auckland about 20 years ago, and continued in residence there until his death. Mr Searling was well known to and highly respected by the older residents of Hawera 'and Patea, and’ at one time lie had' ‘considerable property interests in Hawera. He was a; Din doner by birth and never married.