OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. S. L. HIRST EARLY DAYS OF MINING The death occurred in Auckland on Saturday of Mr. Samuel Luther Hirst, of Hamilton Road, Heme Bay, aged 82 years. Mr. Hirst had resided in New Zealand since the early "seventies," when he arrived at the Thames goldfield, nnd became prominent in connection with the administration of the crushing batteries. He was manager of the Moanataiari battery, then the largest on the field, and occupied this position at the time of the discovery of the last great patch of the Moanataiari mine—that found close to the big Thames slide, in the No. 9 reef. In that period gold to the value of hundreds of thousands of pounds passed through his hands. When the Waihi goldfield was opened., in the early "eighties," Mr,. Hirst became manager of the first battery erected there, that of the Martha Company, afterwards absorbed by the Waihi Gold Mining Company. Later still, he was manager of the first big battery at Waiorongomai, Te Aroha. After giving up mining, Mr. Hirst was appointed agent at To Aroha for the Northern Steamship Company and also acted as agent for the Assets Realisation Board at the time of the financial crisis of tbo "nineties." He was at To Aroha for 2-1 years, and during that time acquired .'SO acres of land in the Kingsland district of Auckland, known as Cabbage Tree Swamp. After his retirement he had tho land subdivided for building purposes and was really the founder of a large section of a prosperous suburban district. Somo years ago. ho was associated in the gift of Cribble-Hirst Park to the Mount Albert Borough Council. Throughout his life, Mr. Hirst was an enthusiastic worker for the Methodist Church, in which lie held several important offices. Tie was also a director of several companies in Auckland. Mr. Hirst is survived by, his wife, who is a daughter.of the Into Mr. James Cribble, and there are two tons and four daughters, Mr. TI. J. Hirst, of Whangarei, Mr. G. Hirst, of To Poi, near Matamata, Mrs. S. A. Hctherington, of Thames, Mrs. G. F. Stockwell, of Masterton, Mrs. G. H. Strange, of Green Lane, Auckland, and Miss R. Hirst, of Auckland. Two sons lost their lives during the war.