WOOL BROKERS AND BUYERS PASS A VOTE OF CONDOLENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18008, 19 November 1926, Page 9

WOOL BROKERS AND BUYERS PASS A VOTE OF CONDOLENCE.

(Special to the “ Star. ”) NAPIER. November 19. Owing to the sad death of Mr Walter Hill. President of the New Zealand Woolbuvers’ Association, the usual animation which heralds the opening sale of the Napier wool season was absent this morning. Prior to the first catalogue being called, Kir N. Kettle, on behalf of the Hawke’s Bay Woolbrokers’ Association, called for a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the deceased gentleman. In doing so, he said that little did he think last season that it would fall to his lot to propose so regrettable a motion. With the death of Mr Hill, buyers and brokers alike had lost an old friend, who had always been known to both fraternities as “Walter Hill.” The benches had lost a great man in the passing of Mr Hill, a man who had known the trade from A to Z and one who had done so much to promote the enormous wool industry which was New Zealand’s to-dav. Mr Kettle referred to the late Mr Hill’s great administrative genius during the commandeer period and stated that the British Government itself owed a great debt of gratitude to Mr Hill. “His absence is more than marked" concluded Mr Kettle. “It is poignantly felt.”

The vote of condolence was passed with buyers, brokers and spectators standing. At 10 a.m. the sale was suspended for a few minutes to mark the funeral of the late Mr Hill.