BUSINESS MAN'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 15

BUSINESS MAN'S DEATH.

MR. H. P. R. CAUGHEY,

USEFUL LIFE CUT SHORT.

GREAT SERVICE TO COMMUNITY*

A career which had been largely devoted to humanitarian purposes, that of Mr. Hugh Price Rainger Caughey, of the firm of Smith and Caughey, Limited, was cut short yesterday, at the age of 36 years. Mr. Caughey's illness began less than a month ago, when, while at Wellington attending the conference of the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce, of which he was president, ha suffered a heart seizure. From this trouble, with a subsequent development of pleurisy, he was confined to his home up to the time of his death.

Mr. Caughey was tho third son of Mr. A. C. Caughey, one of tho founders of Smith and Caughey, Limited, who is at present hirnself an invalid. Born in the city on August 19, 1893, Mr. Hugh Caughey received his education at Prince Albert College and King's College. Since his attainment of manhood he took an active part in tho management of the great drapery business to which the family name attaches, but also foilnd time to give enthusiastic attention to several movements directly affecting the public welfare, notably on tho side of education. Work of Methodist Church. Particularly has the Caughey family been associated with tho educational and philanthropic work of tLe Methodist Qhurch. For about three years Mr. Hugh Caughey was chairman of the Wesley College Trust Board, whose chief activity is to be seen in the fine college at Paerata, at which education and agricultural training is given to both European and Maori lads. Further, he was a member of the committee which directs the Methodist orphanages in and round Auckland.

In hiß early days Mr. Caughey played for his school in both cricket and football, and he later was an energetic supporter of the house teams of his firm. He was also a vice-president of the Eden Cricket Club. In military matters ho was for some years connected with the territorials, as an officer of the 3rd Auckland Rifles. On the outbreak of the Great War he was rejected for active service, but with the rank of lieutenant filled various positions on home service, including that of command of the guard that was placed over the Colonial Ammunition Factory at Mount Eden. Eventually he retired, with the rank of captain. The Auckland Educational Society. It was mainly due to Mr. Caughey's initiative that the Auckland Educational Society was formed about two years ago, to bring about closer co-ordination between the trades and professions and the schools. Mr. Caughey was appointed vicepresident of the society, and it was considered among its members practically certain that he would this year have become the president.

In the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Mr. Caughey held the position of vicopresident, and it was while representing the chamber at the conference of the central body that he was elected president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand. Mr. Caughey leaves a widow, who was Miss L. D. Page, daughter of Mr. A. W. Pago, of Mount Albert, and three children, the eldest ten years of age. Addresses on Overseas Tour. Only two months ago Mr. Caughey returned from a business trip to England and America. Ho was a passenger by the Canadian-Pacific liner Montrose when she was involved in a collision with the collier Rose Castle, in the St. Lawrence River. On this tour he was, as representative of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Chambers, in touch with bodies of similar standing in England, Canada, and the United States, ahd delivered addresses that widely advertised New Zealaild interests in those countries.

Reference to Mr. Caughey's death was made by members of the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerco yesterday. The president, Mr. 11. T. Mefritt, said Mr. Caughey had displayed marked ability in the public and business affairs in which he had taken so prominent a' part. Although not of robust health, ho had carried out all his duties unfailingly, and pursued them nobly to the end. In Mr. Caughey the city had lost, a very valuable citizen. Members stood foe a moment as a mark of respect, and it was resolved to forward a letter of ccfiidoleuce to Mrs. Caughey. The Chamber of Commerce will be represented at the funeral, which will take place at Hillsborough to-day. . To enable the staff of Smith and Caughey, Limited, to take part in the funeral, the company's premises will be closed to-day from 2.15 to 4.30 p.m.