THE LATE MR G. H. WHITCOMBE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9740, 16 August 1917, Page 3

THE LATE MR G. H. WHITCOMBE

The career of the late Mr G. H. Wbiteoiihbe, lioad ot the well-known printing, publishing and stationery firm ot Whitcom.be and Tombs, Limited, whose death was reported in Tuesday s "'Himes’* is an example of what can be accomplished by perseverance and Aiy enterprise. lie was the youug<-rt ’-f a family of ten. his father being Captu m Thomas Whiteombe, of the Itoyal i'ieol Artillery, who saw service in; India and Greece. Ultimately Captain Whit,, combe took up his residence in Brittany, Franco, where the late Mr G, H. Whiteo-mbe was born. He was educated partly in France,and partly, at Lansing College, England. When about sixteen years of: age Mr Whitcombs dame to New Zealand, arriving by a sailing shin at Auckland, and joining his elder brother, Mr Charles Whitcomlic. at New Plymouth. Latex he wont to Wanganui and joined the Armed Constabulary, but did not • sec anv fighting. Coming ,to Christchurch Mr Whiteombe started in business, as a bookseller with Mr John Cnrrar, their business place being in Colombo Street, near the promisee now oc«-iip-ed b~ Mr F. H. steel. On Mr Crerar retiring from business. Mr Whitcombs entered into partnership with Mr Tombs, who was in business as a printer in Cashel street near the premises occupied bv "The Press” .till about nine or ton vears ago- The new firm carried on business in Caehel street and grew with the growth of the city, ih« H.-tu hod its uns Jnd downs and, it w!L be recalled, was prominent in connection with the hiv maritime strike, which arose out of the firm's decision to tinnicy women compositors In this nm lor Mr Whiteombe book up a strong position, which won much admiration from a considerable section of- the community. Afterwards -the --business, extended. branches were opened in Dunedin Wellington and latterly in Auckland. and the firm, which in the meantime had become a limited liability company had branches also in London anti Melbourne. A little over ten years aco the company created their present extensive premises in _ Casael stree . The company has specialised in the production of educational works to suit the requirements of the New Zealand and Australian syllabuses, and also in the production of school stationery. A valuable service has also been rendered by the reprinting of many works on the carle history of New Zealand which were out of print. The company has also done excellent service in encouragin'' New Zealand authors. Mr Whitoombo is survived by his wife, three daughters, and eight sons. Four of bis sons are at the front,,lieutenant Eric Whiteombe and Lieutenant Alec. Whitcomhe, of The Eoyal Held Artillery, and Gunner Hugh Whiteombe and Gunner Gerard Whiteombe, of the New Zealand Field Artillery. The other sons are Mr B. H. Whiteombe. Mr Stanley Whitoombe. Mr Louis Whiteombe, and slr Basil Whiteombe. Mr Whiteombe has E,.* V-teWs 1, Now Zealand one being Mr S. P. Whiteombe, railway--traffic ou neri n tender, i/cf the Sou'hls.'a.idmam line and branches, and the other Mr •rer £ Whiteombe. of Messrs Pyne and CV, Mr Henrv Whiteombe, the eur-v(.-Gr who lost h’s life in the earlv days -whilst crossing the Teremakau EIVeX, was a first cousin of the late Mr Whilt comb?.