OBITUARY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 January 1927, Page 5

OBITUARY.

SIR HENRY BRETT. IE Y TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ROTORUA, Jan. 29. Sir Henry Brett passed away this afternoon at 5.30 at Ring George V Hospital. Tne end was painless. AUCKLAND, Jan. 30. The announcement of the death of Sir Henry Brett, managing director of the Auckland Star and “Father of the New Zealand Press” was made by the Star in- a late edition last night." The Star said : “Sir Henry was born in St. Leonard's on the Sea, Sussex, England, in 1843, and, at the age of 19, came to New Zealand with the Albertland settlers in the ship Hanover, “He had a brilliant career as a shipping reporter on the Southern. Cross and the New Zealand Herald and, in 1870, purchased an interest in the Star which had been started a few months beiore. For 57 years he was connected with this journal and built it up to its present position as one of the premier evening newspapers in the Dominion. “Apart from his business activities he filled many important public positions, including that of Mayor of the city. His two great hobbies were music and horticulture, in both of which spheres he exercised a marked influence in Auckland, and in fact, in New Zealand. “Auckland received several marks of his generosity, the main one being the presentation to the city of a grand o v gan in the Town Hall, the largest is New Zealand. Both music and horticulture experienced his generosity, and, at the time of his death, lie occupied several positions at the head of various organisations connected with those two interests.

“Recently he suffered from a severe cold but had recovered, and had gone up to' Rotorua, to recuperate. He was progressing satisfactorily until Thurs-. day, when he was seized with severe gastric trouble and was ordered into hospital. A small operation was performed on Friday and he gradually sank, passing peacefully away this evening at half past five o’clock. “He had a remarkable career in many respects and, right up to the last, retained his faculties in full vigour, taking the keenest interest not only in journalism, but in his hobbies, and also in cricket and outdoor sport-, for which he did so much during his long and busy life. “Sir Henry is survived by Lady Brett, two sons and two daughters. There are 21 grand-children and ll' great grand-children.”