Mr. Henry B. Tucker Passes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 8

Mr. Henry B. Tucker Passes

THIRTY-SIX YEARS HOST AT CLUB HOTEL. Known throughout New Zealand for the fine tradition ho hud established as host of Tucker’s Club Hotel, Mr. Henry Bradbridge Tucker passed away yesterday morniug in his eightieth year. As owner and licensee, he won exceptional respect for his high standards of management. Mr. Tucker’s death in a private, hospital followed a long illness borne with fortitude. Born at Avon-ton-Gifford, Devonshire, the late Mr. Tucker came to New Zealand in J.BBU in the ship Durham, and had been engaged in the licensed trade for over half a century. Ho first kept an hotel at Lawrence for two years, and subsequently at Waitahuna and Balclutha before returning to England in 1888 for several years, he having been married at Dunedin five years earlier, to Miss Langler, who came from Ashburton (England) Returning to New Zealand Air. Tucker took up the license of- the Marquis of Normanby Hotel at Carterton. He came to Palmerston North m 1900, acquiring the freehold and license of the present premises. He established what is held to be a world’s record through the continuity with which he held the license of the hotel over the whole period to his death, and had frequently received the congratulations of the Licensing Bench on his long record of good management of the hotel. In

every respect he was an ideal host and the licensed trade of New Zealand is the poorer for his passing for he set a high standard in his business. Though he took no active part in public life, Mr. Tucker was of a very charitable disposition, and his unostentatious generosity was known to his more intimate friends. Two years ago, on January 8, 1935, a very happy function was held to mark the golden jubilee of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker. It was arranged by representative citizens as a spontaneous gesture of their goodwill, and Mr. and Airs. Tucker were the recipients of presentations as a tangible expression of their friends’ goodwill. Tributes were then paid to Mr. Tucker’s integrity and uprightness in all his business transactions, his fine record of service and tho exemplary manner in which he had conducted the hotel, he having been closely associated with the life of the city and a keen supporter of every measure for its progress. The late Air. Tucker is survived by his widow and a family of four sons and three daughters. The sons are Alessrs. George, Francis, Victor and Edward Tucker, all of Palmerston North, and the daughters, Mrs. W. H. West (Hamilton), Mrs. M. Passmore (Palmerston North), and Miss Alabel Tucker (Palmerston North). There are eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Brothers of Air. Tucker are Alessrs. F, Tucker (Wellington), W. and A. Tucker (Wanganui). Miss A. Tucker (Wanganui) is a sister. The funeral will take place at the Kelvin Grove cemetery this afternoon. MR. JOHN PIERCY. There passed away at the Palmerston North Hospital on January 5 an old identity in the person of Air. John Piercy who had reached the advanced age of 90 years. Mr. Piercy was born in London, but both his parents died early and he was placed under tho guardianship of John McDonald, then manager of the London Times. After completing his school education at Dr. Wilson’s College, Brixton Hill, Mr. Piercy travelled extensively in Europe, tho Near East and America, finally arriving in New Zealand in the sailing vessel Ida Zeigler under the command of Captain Reynolds in 18G5. Shortly after his arrival Air. Piercy took up his , position of farm cadet on Dr. Featherston’s station at Akitio, and from there he went to Wanganui where for many years he farmed the Kaiwhaiko station on the Wanganui river. While 'there he married Miss Kobina Gillies, who still enjoys a healthy active life at the age of 80 years. To mourn their loss he leaves his wife, Airs. J. Piercy, of 15 Martin street, Palmerston North; five daughters, Airs. C. C. Hills, of Foxton line, Mrs. F. E. Martin, Christchurch, Airs. A. Hatherell, Hastings, Airs. T. Clench, Auckland, Mrs. C. Coutts, Whakarongo, Miss R. E. Piercy, of Alartin street, Palmerston North, and three sons, Mr. J. Piercy (Tokoroa), Mr. C. Piercy (Aria), Air. R. Piercy (Fordell), also 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. MR. SAMUEL HARVEY. Mr. Samuel Harvey, of Bourke street, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 73 years, was a man generous to a fault, whose every action was that of a gentlemau, and whose personality and treatment of others gained for ETEi the respect and friendship of all whom he met. Mr. Harvey had seen a varied life, much of it spent on the West Coast, yet despite his advanced years he remained very active until a short period before his passing. When Air. Harvey was about six years of age bis parents came to New Zealand from Australia, where Air. Harvey was born, to land at Hokitika. At the age of nine years he suffered the 105.4 of both father

and mother. Learning the bakery business at Totara Flat, Grey Valley, except for periods when he undertook gold-mining like his father, Air. Harvey followed the trade for the remainder of his life. After serving his time at Totara Flat he entered into business on his own account at Kumara and at Reef ton and later at Westport. About 1922 he removed to Palmerston North and later, for a little over three years from 192 G, was in business at Halcombe. For the remainder of his life Mr. Harvey had resided in PalmersTon North and for about seven years he was employed by Alessrs. Boniface Bros., Ltd. In {September of this year Mr. Harvey would have celebrated with Mrs. Harvey (who was formerly Miss A. Gillman) the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at Totara Flat. In addition to his widow, Air. Harvey leaves a family of three daughters and three sons. They are Mesdames T. F. Alauett (Westport), T. Cumming (Alilson), N. Friend (Palmerston North) and Alessrs. W. Harvey (Pukerua Bay), S. Harvey (►Stratford), and A. Harvey (Gisborne). Mrs. T. Rice and Mr. W. Harvey, both of Westport, are sister and brother respectively of deceased. The late Airs. G. Gillon, of Petone, was his eldest daughter. To the family and the Tate Mr. Harvey’s immediate relatives will be extended much sympathy. The Masonic Lodge provided Air. Harvey with his main interest outside his calling and for 40 years he had been a past master in the fraternity. He was a member of Lodge Huia at Palmerston North and was accorded a Alasonic funeral at Kelvin Grove cemetery on Alonday. The service was conducted by Rev. F. 53. Ramson, vicar of St. Peter’s Church, Terrace End.