OBITUARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17029, 2 December 1915, Page 11

OBITUARY.

r. H. PYNE. Quito a gloom was cast over tlio community yesterday when it became known that Mr Frederick Hqnvy Pyne, the founder and head of 0 the wellknown auctioneering and financial firm of Messrs Pyne and Go., had died after a short illness, at his late residence, Bealey Avenue, shortly before noon. It is only a few days since Mr Pyne was last in tho streets and doing business as usual, and only a small manner of people wore aware _ that his headtli was not all that his friends could desire, and consequently the news that he had passed away came as an even greater shock than would have been the case had they been aware of his condition. Towards the close of last week, Mr Pyne became so unwell that it was necessary to seek medical aid, when it was found that the only hope of saving the patient’s life would be to have an operation forthwith, although it was recognised from the first that the operation was a critical one, and that, the prospects of success wore slight. Tho operation was performed, but it soon became apparent that the shock was too great for the- patient, and that the end was only a matter of hours. Yesterday morning it was plain that >the end was not far off; his closest friends were permitted to take a. last farewell, and shortly before noon he breathed his last. Mr Pyne was horn at Roydon, Essex, England, fifty-nine years ago. where his father, the Itev Alfred Pyne, was vicar. He completed his education at Eton, and at lone period of his school career lie had as a schoolmate Mr Alexander Boyle, who in after years was destined to be so closely, associated with him in the large and successful business with which the name of Mr Pyne has been so long identified, not only in Canterbury, but throughout New Zealand. He decided to seek his fortune abroad, and in 1878 emigrated to Now Zealand, and landing in Canterbury, at once began his 'industrious career. For some years he was in the employ of the shipping and forwarding firm _of Messrs J~ M. Heywood and Co., filling the post of manager during his later years with that firm. In 1888 he decided to embark in _ the auctioneering business, and, being joined by his erstwhile schoolmate and lifelong friend, Mr Alexander Boyle, founded the firm which still bears the name. For many years ho took an active part in the business as a st-ock salesman, and Ins ability in this capacity was widely recognised; indeed, it was freely conceded that he occupied a unique position as an auctioneer, particularly of wool and horses, being quite without a peer in the Dominion. Latterly the expansion of the business rendered it impossible for him to devote as much attention to selling as he had done during tho earlier years of the firm s existence, but even of late years, when there was a pressure of work, he was always prepared to step into the breach, and it can be said without yhe least exaggeration that no auctioneer commanded more respect from all and sundry than the late Mr Pyne. He was never guilty of the pernicious practice of trotting, and when there arose a dispute concerning a bid, as there sometimes does, no matter who is occupying the rostrum, his explanation was always accepted without, the smallest hesitation, all recognising that Mr Pyne was an eminently just and fair man who would not stoop to any meanness; indeed, as an auctioneer. and in every walk of hie, lie was a man sans reprocho. He was a man of many interests, a man ennnentlv charitable in the view he took of fife, and although he made no ostentatious display of his good actions—he did "ood bv stealth and blushed to find it fame—it is well known that there were few if . any in the province whose philanthropic actions have been more generous, whose sympathies wore wider, and who gave with a more open hand, especially if he was convinced that the object or person on whose behalf he was approached was doserving. During the long period that Mr Pyne resided in Christchurch, he was closely identified with many projects, and m all walks of life his advice was greatly valued, ami his assistance m furtherance of any project that had for its object the public good was never sought in vain, and although an almost abnormally busy man. he always found time to consider evert the most trivial complaints or supposed grievances. The management of the very large concern with which he has been identified for so long might necessarily<nave demanded the whole ol his time and .attention, but Mr Pyne did- not confine himself exclusively to the business of the firm. At the time of Ins death he was a director of the New Zealand Shipping Company. Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co., Messrs "Ward and Co., and was also interested m a lesser degree in quite a host of business establishments, whilst the financial ramifications of the firm s individual business place it amongst the most important concerns 111 the Dominion. Ever since the outbreak of the war, Mr Pyne has been an indefatigable worker in every project that has been launched having for its object the alleviation of the sufferings of those who have been the victims of the great conBagration, and he was the head and front of the great and successful effort that was made shortly after the outbreak of tho war trt .raise funds-to assist the heroic Belgians. Tiie feeling which has ever existed between Mr Pyne and his clients lias been of the most cordial kind, and amongst the many thousands who have done business with him there is not nno who would say a single word concerning the deceased except of the warmest praise. Amongst his employees'lie was recognised as a model employer, whose word was his bond, a man who never went back on a promise, a mail who could be implicitly trusted in every walk of lifeSince the early nineties Mr Pyne was closely associated with the Canterbury Jockoy Club, of which he was a steward and committeeman for many years, and was chairman for two 'vears. Several tunes he represented the club at racing conferences, and his speeches on these occasions were marked hv a wide knowledge of the sport of racing, and the common-senso of which h<T was possessed in an unusual decree always ensured that his remarks would receive the most respectful consideration and attention of his colleagues. A detailed account of Mr Pvne’s career as a sportsman will he found i’ll another column. The funeral will leave 82, Bealey Avenue, at 2 o’clock to-morrow afternoon, for tlie Riccarton churchyard.

At the Addington saleyards yesterday Mr PI. G. Staveley. chairman ot directors of tho Canterbury Saleyards Compai iy % referred to the death of Mr Pyno. He expressed on behalf of those’present their feeling of intense regret at tho loss of Mr Pyno and their great sympathy with his widow and familv. ’ He also referred to the great loss the commercial community had sustained through his death. Mr Leicester Matson also referred to Mr Pyne’s long connection with the business life' of Christchurch, and said that he had occupied an unrivalled position among business men. Ho also expressed their deep / sympathy with Mrs Pyne and family. General regret was expressed at tho Addington saleyards yesterday by farmers and others at Mr Pyne’s death, so highly was he held in respect by till who knew him. For many years he had been one of the principal Salesmen at the yards, and his straightforward methods' of conducting business had been highly appreciated.