EARLY BUILDER DIES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1934, Page 9

EARLY BUILDER DIES

VARIED LIFE OF MR. A. H. ARNOLD. 60 YEARS SPENT IN TARANAKI. The death occurred on Thursday at New Plymouth of a well known and respected citizen, Mr. Alfred Hughes Arnold, at the age of 80 years. Mr. Arnold was born at West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, in August, 1854. As an apprentice he learned the trade of a carpenter at Birmingham, and when about 20 years of age he came to New Zealand by the ship. Howrah, landing at New Plymouth. Here he was first engaged in a house-building job in the Mangorei district and later was employed by Messrs. Berry and Newman in the construction of station buildings along the New Plymouth-Waitara railway line opened towards the end of 1875. The building trade becoming quiet, Messrs. Berry and Newman took Mr. Arnold into their hardware establishment in Lower Brougham Street, where he remained for some years, until about 1885 he joined Messrs. Edward Okey and Son, when that firm extended its painting and paperhanging business into the hardware trade. Under the title of Okey, Son and Arnold this business was carried on for some years in premises on the present site of Whites Ltd.

Mr. John Earp joined the firm a little later and the name was altered to Okey, Arnold and Earp. On the death of the other principals and the dissolution of the firm Mr. Arnold established himself in business as an ironmonger on his own account in part of Mr. C. Carter’s premises in Devon Street, carrying this on successfully until' his retirement a few years ago. Mr. Arnold, although. not active in local government affairs, took a keen interest in public life and in everything pertaining to the advancement and prosperity of the town. His hobby, outside of his business, was music. He was a member of the first town band over 50 years ago, and for many years played the violin in the orchestra' of the Philharmonic Society. He was a staunch adherent'of the Methodist Church and for many years was a member of the Whiteley Church choir, also playing the violin in the church orchestra, when the musical portion of the service was conducted in that way. For many years he was one of the Whiteley Church trustees. Mr. Arnold’s wife predeceased him about a year ago, and he leaves a family of five daughters and one son, another son having died in 1914. The surviving son is Mr. H. Arnold. (Auckland), and the daughters are Mesdames B. Martin, J. H. Wray, W. S. Brinsley, R. J. Pentecost and Miss M. Arnold, all of New Plymouth. Mr. Arnold was one of three surviving members of the late Mr. G. Garry’s band, the others being Mr. W. F. Gordon (New Plymouth) and Mr. F. W. Richmond (Wellington). The funeral took place at Te Henui cemetery on Sunday afternoon, many friends attending. Short services at the house and at the grave were conducted by the Rev. Fred Copeland. The bearers were members of the Court Taranaki Ancient Order of Foresters. The lodge service was read by Bro. A. J. Way. Reference to the death of Mr. Arnold was made by the Rev. F. Copeland at Whiteley Church on .Sunday, in which the consistency of his Christian life was emphasised, as well as his integrity. Some of his favourite hymns wefe sung at both .services.