OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21183, 2 November 1938, Page 5

OBITUARY

MK H. F. WRIGHT The death occurred at his residence, Mount Eden, Auckland/ recently, of Mr H. F. Wright, who was well-known in business circles in Auckland and Dunedin, and to mountaineers throughout the Dominion. A number of years ago as a mountaineer, he was a frequent visitor to Mount Cook. A sister, Mrs G. M. Symes, resides at Ashwick Flat, Fairlie. Mr Wright was born at Naseby in 1866, and his early life was spent in Dunedin, where he became a prominent member of the Union Football Club. He represented Otago in 1886 against New South Wales, and again in 1888 against Stoddart’s visiting English team. He was stroke of the Clifton Rowing Club, and won several boat, races in the late eighties. After gaining commercial experience he joined the late Mr Andrew Fairbairn in 1900 and helped to establish the well-known firm of Fairbairn, Wright, and Co., general merchants. He retired from this firm in 1913 and went on a world tour. On the outbreak of the war in the following year his voluntary services were accepted by the military authorities in Dunedin, and he g ~e material assistance in the organisation and equipment of the main body from Otago. In 1915 Mr Wright was elected to the Dunedin City Council, and in 1916 he undertook the direction of the organisation necessary to put into op .ration the Government recruiting scheme in Dunedin. Though he had been rejected for military service as over age in 1914, he was accepted in 1916, and went with the 20th Reinforcements to France, where he saw service until the end of the war.

Mr Wright was a skilled mountaineer, and had numerous climbs, expeditions, and first ascents to his credit. He was a member of the English Alpine Club, as well as of the New Zealand Alpine Club, of which he was president from 1934 to 1936. He was a member of the executive of the New Zealand Alpine Club from 1914 to 1938. Mr Wright started business in Auckland as a merchant in 1920 and carried it on until the time of his death. He is survived by his widow and by a son and a daughter, both of whom are living in Auckland.