VARIED CAREER OF PIONEER

Southland Times, Issue 24492, 21 July 1941, Page 6

VARIED CAREER OF PIONEER

MR DANIEL HINTON’S DEATH The death of Mr Daniel Hinton, of 210 Esk street, Invercargill, which occurred on Saturday, brought to a close a long and interesting career, the last 65 years of which were spent in Invercargill. Born in England 86 yeai s ago. Mr Hinton went as a youth to America, spending several years there before returning to England and then coming out to New Zealand. He knew Invercargill when scrub covered what are now busy shopping areas and when the main streets were little better than bullock tracks. Like many pioneers Mr Hinton followed a variety of occupations in Invercargill in the days of early settlement. Born in 1855 in a village five miles from the university town of Oxford, Mr Hinton moved with his parents to London and spent his youth there. While still a youth he entered the personal service of an English captain who had invented a steam-driven flying machine. The captain had great faith in his invention and took it to America, where he hoped to enlist support for it. A trial was carried out in New York, but it proved a failure. This took place about 1870, the captain being well in advance of his time. Mr Hinton, who accompanied him on the trip, related in after years that his employer then insisted that despite his own failure the time would come when men would fly in mechanical contrivances. MARRIAGE IN AMERICA Mr Hinton spent a few years in America and in 1874 married in New York Miss Jane Chesterman. He returned with his wife to London and shortly afterwards came out to New Zealand to rejoin Mrs Hinton’s family. They made the voyage in the Marlborough, landing at Port Chalmers on January 15, 1876. Mr A. Wann, Ritchie street, Invercargill, and Mrs Hinton are believed to be the only fellow-passen-gers on that voyage now living. Mr Hinton and his family settled in Invercargill and after Mr Hinton had been employed in a variety of occupations he joined the staff of the New Zealand Railways Department. He continued in the service of the Department for more than 30 years, retiring about 18 years ago. Mr Hinton led an active life and was a foundation member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Invercargill. He was a fine musician and his services were much in demand for social evenings.

The length of Mr and Mrs Hinton’s married life must approach a record, as in October last year they celebrated the 66th anniversary of their wedding. Mr Hinton is survived by his wife, and of a family of nine sons and three daughters the following are living: Messrs H. G. Hinton (Colac Bay), Frederick Hinton (Invercargill), Frank Hinton (Dunedin), James and Robert Hinton (Oamaru), Mrs Ellen Anderson and Miss R. Hinton (Invercargill). There are also 23 grand-children and 16 great-grandchildren.

SIR GEORGE SHIRTCLIFFE

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 20. The death occurred today of Sir George Shirtcliffe, chairman of directors of A. S. Paterson and Co., Ltd.

Sir George Shirtcliffe was born in England in 1862 and arrived in New Zealand at the age of two. He was educated at Christ’s College and entered the Lands Department at Timaru in 1877. In 1878 he joined the National Mortgage and Agency Co. Ltd. and two years later accepted a position with the Canterbury Farmers’ Cooperative Association, being appointed manager at Timaru in 1884. Six years later he became manager of and a partner in the firm of A. S. Paterson and Co. Ltd. at Dunedin, and after being vice-chairman and managing director he became chairman of directors in 1927. He was a former president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and a member of the City Council and the Wellington Harbour Board. He was also a member of the Hospital Commission in 1921 and the Taxation Commissions in 1922 and 1924, and chairman of the National Expenditure Commission in 1932. From 1927 to 1935 Sir George was chairman of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. He was knighted in 1936. Sir George was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of Mr William Massey, of Timaru, and there were two sons and three daughters. In 1927 he married Miss Margaret Priest, a daughter of Mr W. J. Priest, of Timaru.