OBITUARY.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 6 March 1897, Page 17

OBITUARY.

THE LATE MR. L. EHRENFRIED

The death of Mr Louis Ehrenfried on Friday last, at the age of 62, removes from the community a man who was universally beloved and respected. He was a citizen whose private virtues and sterling worth of character won him the esteem even of thoße whose guiding principle it is to hold in abhorrence the brewing industry with which he was identified — we mean the Prohibitionists. His trade they might assail and attempt to decry; his character for fair, open, and honourable dealing, for largeminded tolerance^ or practical benevolence, and for enterprising public spirit, was proof against all assaults and was never besmirched.

Hr Louis Ehrenfried and his brother Bernhard, who pre-deceased him by many years, were the architects of their own fortunes, and sheer pluck in the straggle against adversity combined with indomitable resolution, Bhrewd foresight, a generous disposition and a sympathetic neighbourly spirit won them the affluence to which they attained. Natives of Hamburg, they emigrated as young men to the Australian colonies and passed through the hardships of life on the goldnelds. They had too their fall share of the ups and downs of colonial life. Fortune more than once was within their grasp, and. illluck more than once bore them down. On the West Coast they were obliged to make a composition with their creditors, but no sooner did fortune smile upon them at the Thames than, with that fine sense of justice which ever distinguished them, they hastened to pay off their former creditors in full.

Mr Louis Ehrenfried at all times took a very keen and active interest in public affairs, and as early as 1872 he was elected Mayor of the Thames, after holding a seat for six years on the Borough Council, and has since served in other public capacities besides acting on the Commission of the Peace as a J. P. In 1875 he purchased the old established brewery business of Messrs B. Whitson and Sons in Auckland, and developed and extended it to its present very large proportions.

He was essentially a (broad minded and generous man, whose pnrße was ever open to promote all movements for the benefit or welfare of the public, and whose assistance was never lacking for any eanae or undertaking that conduced to the wellbeing, the healthy recreation, or the comfort of his fellows. Of all wholesome outdoor sports and pastimes he was a liberal patron and supporter. Let his connection with the Waitemata Rowing Club, the Auckland Swimming Club, the .Lawn Tennis Club, and the Auckland Bowling Club attest the truth of the statement. Of his generosity he gave the Foresters practical proof by building and presenting them with a hall at Panmure. Hi? deeds of charity were innumerable, and may never be fully known, for he was one of those who do good by stealth. At any rate, no case of genuine distress or sufferipg ever passed him unheeded or unassisted. Though a zealous supporter of his own Hebrew church, there was absolutely nothing of the narrow sectary about Louis Ehrenfried. In religion, as in politics, he was tolerant to a degree, and although a doughty antagonist whenever he had occasion to fight an election, his disposition was always too open, free, and sunny to harbour animosities after the fight was over.

In the private relations of life he was the most affectionate of men, and the moat affable and considerate of employers. The best eulogists of the deceased gentleman are the men who have worked tinder him and the relatives who have had the privilege of intimate and familiar social intercoarse with him. His nephews and nieces and other connections have all abundant cause to revere and venerate his memory. No father could be more devoted than he was to them and the furtherance of their material interests. A good man has gone to his rest, and in Mr Louis Ehrenfried the city of Auckland loses a philanthropic and public-spirited citizen.

'Incompatibility of temper 1 has over and over again broken up many a household. When the Premier Picnic ia mentioned, all are agreed.