MR NORMAN L. GURR

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1937, Page 11

MR NORMAN L. GURR

History And Romance

One of the outstanding personalities in the Far North is Mr Norman Gurr, who added to his many records on Tuesday last by marrying, at the age of 72, an Auckland lady, his junior by one year. The lady who is to share his future is the daughter of the late Mr John Lemon, architect, of Oamaru, and widow of the late Mr Francis Francis,' who, before his death, was manager for the A.M.P. Society at Auckland. The marriage was celebrated at Christ Church, Ellerslie, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. L. E. Cartridge, son-in-law of the Primate. A Notable Athlete. ,

■ Mr Gurr lives a very active life, and his brisk walk, the clear brain he applies to business, and the different duties he undertakes in a‘ more or less public capacity, belie his age. As a young man, he had, a remarkable record as an athlete. The total value of trophies he won is over £6OO, and one trophy alone is valued at 35 guineas. Though only , sft. Sin. in height, Gurr the athlete had a wonderful stride, covering 9ft 4in. with unfailing regularity over quarter and half-mile distances, and he was described by his old trainer, Dorrie Leslie, as all legs. He started his athletic career in Pfew Zealand in the eighties at Wellington, winning by 80 yards the Athletic Football Club’s half-mile, in

which he had a 60 yards start from Jack King. From that time on he was always on scratch. Later, he got away with the club championship over 200 yards in 21 seconds. Shortly afterwards, he, came to light at Timaru, where, passing a field of 38, he cut out the half-mile in 2min. In cross-country work he showed himself a champion by winning the Wadestown to Kaiwarra toll-gate race, after giving two minutes’ start to men Sproule and Woolridge. The quarter and half-mile championships of New Zealand came his way on the Basin Reserve, Wellington, and. at Timaru, he won the 100, 220, 440' and 880 yards races in succession on one day. He was known all' over the country, and at various times took part in meetings at Palmerston North, Masterton, Feilding, New Plymouth, Christchurch,

Dunedin, Invercargill, Napier and other places. ’' Mr Gurr was born in Tasmania, and before coming to New Zealand, he performed ,at the University sports at Parkside. Adelaide, where he was educated. He was then f 7 years of age, arid out - of the day’s events he won seven. All-round Interests. The practical interest Mr Gurr took in sport extended to golf, cricket, cycling, football, tennis and rowing. Mr Gurr came; to New Zealand as a young man. Taking service with an insurance company, he quickly rose to a position of responsibility, and became superintendent of new business and manager for the Mutual Life Association of Australasia in the Wellington As business-getter he was a record breaker, just as he was in -sport. Many years of Mr Gurr’s life were spent at Dannevirke, where he, was the proud owner of one of the twd first motor cars introduced into New Zealand. He has a well-preserved photograph of this car. A habit he has cultivated of keeping photographs, newspaper clippings and other printed matter, makes it possible to trace his whole career without further assistance. While at Dannevirke, Mr Gurr was the promoter and, subsequently, chairman of directors of a company which gave the town the Arcadia Theatre, a building costing, with the furniture, £35,000. In the Far North. I He came to the Far North 24 years ago, and took up a large area of land in the Takahue district, but, washing his hands of this speculative venture, he took up hiS residence eight years ago at Kaitaia, where he has since carried on business as a commission agent. In land transactions he is becoming. the pivot around which everything moves. There is hardly a phase of life in the town he does not interest himself in. As an office-bearer of St. Saviour’s Church he is most punctilious in attending to his duties. He was the main factor in organising the Kaitaia Musical and Dramatic Society, and his executive skill had a great deal to do with the success of a queen carnival held some time ago, enabling two churches to wipe off debts totalling nearly £BOO. Every good work has his benediction, and, when possible, a helping hand. His friends are legion, and congratulations, with presentations, on his marriage have been showered upon him *in an overwhelming way. His acquaintance with his present wife goes back to the time when he was a young man, and there was some romance around which the memories of both have lingered. He first met her when he was district agent for the Government Life Insurance Office at Oamaru. After taking different directions, they have been brought together again, henceforth to travel along the same road. Dr. Elaine Gurr, who was the first woman physician to be appointed *to the staff of the Auckland Hospital, a position she still fills, in addition to conducting a large private practice, is a daughter of Mr Gurr. Mr and Mrs Norman Gurr arrived at Kaitaia on Sunday, and they were heartily welcomed.