PIONEER OF INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21281, 7 September 1932, Page 11

PIONEER OF INDUSTRY

MAJOR WHITNEY'S DEATH ROMANCE OF MUNITIONS SERVICE TO THE EMPIRE The death occurred at his home in Seaview Road, Remuera, last evening, of Major John Whitney, chairman of directors of the Colonial Ammunition Company, Limited, and a prominent figure in the industrial development of New Zealand. He was 96 ysars of age. The works of the company at Mount Eden are well known to AucHandeis and a landmark in the district.

Major Whitney, who was the son of James and Sophia Whitney, of Calverhill, Norton Canon, Herefordshire, and Abbey Gardens, Shrewsbury, was born at Shrewsbury. He was a direct lineal descendant of Sir Robert Whitney, of Whitney, Herefordshire, and inherited the last of the Whitney estates in Herefordshire from his father, who succeeded his uncle, Colonel Whitney, of Calverhill. Educated at Shrewsbury, he held a commission in the North Lincolnshire Regiment, 1858, and served for some years in Ireland. He sold the Calverhill estates some time before ho left with his family for Auckland, where he arrived at the end of 1884.

At this time occurred the Russiau war scare. A wave of martial enthusiasm swept through New Zealand. Companies of volunteers for the defence of these islands were formed almost in a day. Major Whitney accepted command of 0 Battery at Fort Resolution and was appointed A.D.C. to General Sir George Whitmcie, commander of the forces. Development of Business

New Zealand was poorly equipped for the resistance of an invasion. Her stocks of ammunition were depleted, she was wholly dependent upon importation, and no new supplies were forthcoming from abroad. To meet this deficiency Major Whitney responded to urgent overtures from tho Hon. John Ballance, then Premier, and Sir George Whitmore, and took up the task of manufacturing ammunition within the colony. Ho started operations at Mount Eden, employing in tho first instance about 25 mechanics and workpeople. As tho result of his courage, energy and ingenuity, a supply of New Zealand-made Snider ball cartridges was, early in 1886, delivered to the Government.

All the machinery, tools and appliances were made in Auckland, the ironfounders casting and making the machines to specifications supplied by Major Whitney. In 1887 Major Whitney went to England to obtain more up-to-date machinery. Branch in Australia In 1888 the Colonial Ammunition Company was formed. The certificate of incorporation of the company was dated December 11, 1888, and is still kept with other documents at the works in Auckland. Major Whitney's fame as a cartridge maker quickly spread to Australia, and in 1889 a factory was erected by the company at Footscray, Melbourne. All the States, by agreement, took all their ammunition from it. About 1903, at Footscray, Major Whitney invented the sharp-pointed .303 bullet, getting many feet flatter trajectory at 1000 yards range than was possible before. Vv r oolwich commenced experiments on a .303 pointed bullet some years later. Company Changes Some five years before the war the company erected a metal refining and roller mills at Footscray for making brass and cupro nickel from Australian copper, spelter and nickel. These Australian works, although an offshoot of the Auckland manufactory, havo now a much larger output, owing to the greater consumption of tho Commonwealth. The company's establishments in New Zealand and Australia are the only ammunition works south of tho Equator. Their combined staffs of engineers, mechanics and workpeople number well over 2000 persons. Somo years ago Major Whitney retired and took up his residence at Wenderholm, Waiwera. This home he sold on the death of Mrs. Whitney. In 1920, tho Commonwealth Government leased the works at Footscray for a term of seven years at a rental of £20,000 a year. At the end of that term it purchased from the company the whole works, plant and machinery, including the metal refining and roller mills. In the same year Major Whitney came to an agreement with the company to allow him to purchase the company's New Zealand works and business, and a private company was formed in Auckland under the same name. His second son, Mr. Cecil A. Whitney, became managingdirector, and his two grandsons, Mr. J. C. Whitney and Mr. W. C. Whitnry, general manager and manager respectively. Supplies for Great War

It was during the Great War that both New Zealand and Australia benefited most by the enterprise instituted by Major Whitney. His works met all the demands made upon them for the equipment of the New Zealand and Australian Expeditionary Forces with .303 cartridges. Very many millions of rounds were produced. In 1860 Major Whitney married Miss H. S. Chaworth-Musters, eldest daughter, of the Rev William Chaworth-Musters, of Annesley Park, Nottinghamshire. Mrs. Whitney died at Wenderliolm, Waiwera, in 1917 at the ago of 82. Major Whitney is survived by two sons, Captain A. N. Whitney, of Wenderholm, Hampshire, and Mr. Cecil A. Whitney, of Auckland, and two daughters, Mrs. E. M. Lewis, of Crumpton Abbas, Dorset, and Miss Alice M. Whitney. There are 11 grandchildren and lour great-grandchildren.