Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6633, 21 August 1931, Page 3

Obituary

ME. ERNEST J. WACKRILL.

Under particularly distressing circumstances tho death took place at I eliding yesterday of Mr. Ernest J. Wackrill, ono of tho town's best known and widely respected citizens. Apparently in tho best of spirits he left his home in Manchester street shortly after 9 o’clock to prepare for several important business engagements and his failure to report at his office caused his partner, Mr. A. H. Maguire, to make inquiries. It was most unusual for ono always considered most methodical and punctual in all business matters to fail to keep important appointments and the absence of any communication from him seriously disturbed his friends. Inquiries failed to elicit any information as to his whereabouts beyond tho knowledge that he carried out his usual practice of coming to town at 8 o’clock for his shave and then visited his office to lay out papers in readiness for the morning’s engagements. It was not until the middle of tho afternoon that word was received of the discovery of his car on Kawa Kawa road two or three chains from the junction of tho Awahuri road at Kitchiner park. His absence had been reported to the police and the discovery of tho car was later to reveal tho tragedy, tho deceased being found at about 3.45 p.m. drowned in a creek just inside tho bush along Kawa Kawa road.

Tho late Mr. Wackrill, who was (iU years of age, had not enjoyed tho best of health in recent years, but was of that- happy disposition to effectively conceal from his friends his physical troubles. Always attentive to his bust ness ho was noted and admired for the systematic manner in which the business he handled was cared for. He was hold in tho highest esteem by the whole business community as well as by farmers with whom ho was intimately associated. His genial personality won for him a wide circle of friends. He was a gentleman always. Tho late Mr. Wackrill was born in England whore he first graduated into tlio profession which was later to know him so well throughout the Manawatu district. Ho camo to Feilding somo 30 years ago to enter into the businoss of tho Katclilfo Land Agency and in 1907 entered into tho motor business to later be associated with Mr. Harold Stewart in tho firm of Wackrill and Stewart. His secretarial ability won for him employment in a sphere where his accountancy knowledge could be used to advantage and he gradually built up a large connection, becoming secretary of tho Komncy Marsh Sheep Breeders’ Association and the Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association, both of which institutions have repeatedly acknowledged tho debt they owo to him for the sound position to which he brought both associations. As his professional work grow he withdrew from the motpr business and in January last took into partnership w r ith him Mr. A. 11. Maguire, another well known professional accountant of the town, Mr. Wackrill was of a retiring disposition and never entered into public life although soon after first coming to Fcilding ho was identified with amateur theatrical performances. He soon passed from this to the serious business of life and devoted himself to his profession. He married a sister of Mr. James Campbell, of Fcilding, who is left to mourn his tragic passing.