OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20423, 27 November 1929, Page 14

OBITUARY.

MR. GEORGE SYME

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday.

The death occurred at Hawera to-day of Mr. George Syme, senr., aged 93. Mr. Sym,e was one of the pioneer settlers of ITawera, and for the greater part of his 54 years of residence there was closely identified with the growth of the town. Mr. Syme was born in Balfour, Stirling, shire. When he was 26 years old he voyaged with his wife to Bluff, where lie landed in 1862. In the next three years he met with varying fortunes in the South Island goldfields, and in 1865 he settled at New Plymouth, leaving there two years later for Wanganui, where, with a friend, he was engaged by Colonel Hanltain to build block-houses for the protection of the settlers from hostile Maoris in the disturbed areas. The partners were so engaged near Waitotara and were under fire, but escaped unhurt. They were also engaged in the construction of the Wanganui Bridge. Mr. Syme came with his family to Hawera in 1875, and purchased a 10-acre block from a military settler. As a builder Mr. Svme had a very successful career in Hawera, being the contractor for many important buildings in the district between 1875 and 1889, and he was the builder of the first public school in the Manutahi, Hawera, Normanby and Manaia districts. In Juno, 1889, ho purchased the Egmont Sash and Door Factory, with timber yards, and established an important business. Mr. Syme took an important part in furthering the welfare of tho town, and was a member of many public bodies at different times. Ho was an enthusiastic bowler, and was a member of the 1901 bowling team which toured Britain. He is survived bv two daughters and five sons, Mrs. P. Bond and Miss Syme, Messrs. George, James, Walter, and Norman Syme. of Hawera, and Mr. David Syme, of El I ham.