BUSINESSMAN’S DEATH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 9

BUSINESSMAN’S DEATH

MR. JOHN HENRY UPTON LIFE OF CITY SERVICE A noted figure has gone from Auckland’s business and social life. Mr. John Henry Upton died at Auckland this morning at the age of 84 years. Mr. Upton was perhaps one of the most widely known men in Auckland, and his progressive administration in commerce and in public positions has kept him in tho forefront of local politics throughout a useful life spent largely for the betterment of his city. Mr. Upton enjoyed a notable public career, and during his long life iu Auckland provided an example of business enterprise, and was a leader in many movements to advance the social and material welfare of the city. He Tilled the Mayoral chair from 1889 t«. 1891, and as civic head of Auckland lie was identified with educational, ecclesiastical, financial and social institutions. PARTNERSHIP BEGINS 1 pon arrival at Auckland from Lin* colnshire, England, in his early manhood, became partnered with his late brother in the firm of W. B. and J. If. Upton, a concern which expanded rapidly under his business guidance, and which later was known as Upton and Co. Always a keen educationalist. Mr. Upton was early associated with the Auckland Education Board, and the Boards of Governors of the Auckland College and the Grammar School. Prior to occupying the mayoral office he served for several years as a borough councillor, while his enthusiast id attention was directed also to the Mackelvie art collection, which he eventually secured for the city at an opportune moment. Later he became a member of the Mackelvie Board ofi Trustees.

The South British Insurance Company and the Auckland Gas Company claimed his as a director. He was chairman of the South British for a year, and was chairman of directors of the Gas Company up to the time of his death today. FINANCIAL ABILITY

On the Auckland Savin&s Bank ha served as a trustee, where his business knowledge and head for finance were found to be extremely useful to tho progress of the institution. Anglican Church advancement found in him ;t ready worker, and sports improvements in the city were facilitated by his active support. He was a director of the General Trust Board of the Church of England, and also a trustee of the Melanesian Mission and of the Si. John's College Trust Board.

Among his public activities was his service on the directorate of the Bank of New Zealand, from which he retired in 1924. He was instrumental, also, in founding the Riverhead Paper Mills, thus showing his faith in the future of the pulp industry for New* Zealand. He was a director of the Northern Steamship Company and of the Hikurangi Coal Mines. Mr. Upton will be missed from among Auckland’s most prominent business figures, for his activities had become a part of the city’s dally life. Privately and in business he was the personification of integrity, satisfactory in all his dealings and pleasant in company. Pie had been ill for several days.