LOSS TO INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 14

LOSS TO INDUSTRY

MR. T. SIMSON'S* DEATH FREEZING TRADE PIONEER AUTHORITY ON REFRIGERATION One of the leading figures in the freezing industry in New Zealand, Mr. Thomas Simson, until recently general manager of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, died at his homo in Mount St. John Avenue, Epsom, yesterday afternoon. Mr. Simson, who was born in Duncdin in 1867, had been connected with tho freezing industry for nearly 50 years and was regarded, particularly from the engineering of view, as an authority on refrigerating matters. Mr. Simson commenced his career as an engineer with A. and T. Burt, Limited, in Dunedin in 1886 and shortly after turned his attention to refrigeration, sailing to England with meat cargoes in the early days of the trade. Later ho was with the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Limited, Christchurch, as engineer. He then joined the New Zealand Frozen Meat and Storage Company in Auckland, becoming engineer in charge when the company was changed to the Auckland Freezing Company in 1895. When tho Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, was established in 1903 Mr. Simson became chief engineer and works manager, being thp first employee of the company.• He was appointed general manager in 1922. When he retired from this position id 1933 he was appointed to the directorate of the company. He was also a director of Wilsons N.Z. Portland Cement, Limited. ' , . , '' One of the last importaht undertakings carried out, by Mr.' Simson was the establishment of.the freezing works at Moerewa and in appreciation of his services to the district thp residents named the public domain after him. Mr. Simson is survived by his widow and three daughters, Mrs. Robin Simpson, of Auckland, Mrs. Lloyd Manning, of Te Puke, and Miss Freda Simson, of, Auckland.