OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1922, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR. HARRIS FORD. A very well-known old identity of New Plymouth, Mr. Harris Ford, died yesterday morning in his 82nd year. Mr. Ford came out from Home in 1851 with his father, Mr. Samuel Ford, and family, by the barque Cashmere, landing at Auckland and coming on to New Plymouth, where Mr. Ford, sent., established himself in business as a saddler in premises which stood >n Devon Street, about where Messrs. McLeod and Slade’s printing works now stand. Mr. Samuel Ford met his death just before the outbreak of the Maori War in 1860, being shot down by natives at Omata. Mr. Harris Ford, who was then in Auckland, in a grocery business, was sent for to take charge of his father’s business, and later he removed to Brougham Street, where he continued to carry on until a year or two ago, when the premises were sold. Since then he has lived in retirement, doing only a little work at his trade with his son. Besides taking his part in the Maori War, Mr. Ford devoted considerable time to public and semi-public affairs, more particularly in connection with the Recreation Grounds Board, of which he was one of the original members, continuing to hold office up to the present time. When some 50 years or so ago there were rumors of gold in the Kaitake Ranges, Mr. Ford took an active interest in the prospecting which was carried on. A man of sterling character, he was highly respected, and had many friends who will learn of his death with sincere regret. I