OBITUARY

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1666, 24 September 1925, Page 4

OBITUARY

It is with extreme regret (says the Waikato Independent) that we have to record the passing of yet another of the Cambridge district pioneers, and one who playedan outstanding part in the early settlement period, in the person of Mr Henry Reynolds, whose death occurred suddenly in London on September 19th, at the age of 75 years. Deceased had not enjoyed good health for a lengthy period, but it was not expected that his demise would be of such a sudden nature.

The death of the late Henry Reynolds has removed a pioneer in the true s.ense of the word.. Possessed of a rugged Cornish spirit, the late Mr Reynolds arrived at Auckland as a lad of 18 years with his parents arid brother, Mr Richard Reynolds, deceased's elder brother having preceded the family to New Zealand several years earlier. The family arrived in New the month of February, 1868, and immediately came on to this district to join up with Mr William Reynolds, who had paved the way for the family's migration. After a short period of service with his parents deceased became actively associated with the old Newstead estate which he managed for-many years. Howeve?, the slate Henry Reynoldswill be best remembered as one of the founders of the first butter factory in New Zealand, and along with the late Francis Hicks introduced what has undoubtedly been the ultimate salvation of our primary industry—the home separator. At Pukekura there still stands to-day* the old building t where the first home separator was run by the late gentleman, and where the first butter factory, the embryo of a mighty industry, was erected. The extent to which the dairying industry, and butter manufacture particularly, has grown in this district' is a fitting tribute to the tenacity and dogged perseverance that characterised the efforts of the deceased and his associates in those early days. Throughout his life, which, was principally spent in Cambridge and the Waikato, the late Mr Reynolds always took an active part in farming and his interests in this connection were continued right up to the time he left the Dominion for the Homeland where he has resided with his wife—who prior to her marriage was a daughter of Captain Steel, of Hamilton —for a number of years. Deceased was possessed of a sterling character, and advice of his death will be received with general regret by the farming community throughout the Waikato. Deceased is survived by his wife and grown-up family of one son, Mr William Reynolds, who resides in the Argentine, and a married daughter resident in London.