OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13461, 16 April 1917, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR A. J. STOREY.

idcspread regret will be felt throughout the whole of tho South Auckland District at tho removal by death of .Mr Arthur James Storey, one of the best known and most respected of our business men.

Mr Storey has been closely identified with the \\ aikato from his early boyhood, and held a reputation for'integ--1 lty and uprightness which is enjoyed by few. As managing director of the Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering (ompany, he won and maintained the implicit confidence of the farming communityj and his (loath will leave a gap which will be exceedingly hard to fill. Of a kindly and sympathetic temperament, lie was always anxious to help along a struggling farmer, and never was he known to hamper a man \v bom lie was satisfied was trying to make good,' and l>oth by his advice and more tangible tokens of sympathy he has asssisted many a man in this district to surmount the initial difficulties of settlement, and mount the ladder towards a competence. Naturally quiet and of unobstrusive demeanour, be did not, apart from the affairs of the company, participate in the public life of the community; but he had a comprehensive grasp of both public and municipal affairs, and he was ever ready to give the benefit of his ripe judgment to all who sought it. He did not allow prejudice to warp his mind, and he never expressed an opinion without considering the' matter from every viewpoint.

Mr Storey was an enthusiastic and thorough sportsman in every sense of the term, and in his earlier days ranked amongst the most prominent gentlemen riders in the Province. He was also an energetic member of the South Auckland Racing Club for a considerable number of years, and when the affairs of the Club were in a somewhat parlous state, he took the secretaryship, and did much to guide the institution into smoother waters. He was subsequently elected to the presidency of the Club. He was also a keen polo player—in fact he entered into every kind of sport which required a display of horsemanship, for he was a lover of the horse, and few could eclipse his judgment concerning the merits of the equine, and his services were frequently requisitioned as a judge for this class of stock at various agricultural and pastoral shows.

Mr Storey was a son of Mr C. J. Storey, of Woodstock, Te Awamutu, and was born just 49 years ago at Tamaki. He came to \Vaikato with bis parents in 1873. At the age of 17 be entered the service of Messrs Alfred Buckland and Sons, the well-known firm of auctioneers," for whom he conducted his first sale as an auctioneer on December 3rd, 1887. When the late Mr John McXicol took over the Waikato business of the firm, Mr Storey continued with him, and assisted Mr McXicol to largely extend operations. lien Mr McNieol died (9th April, 1893) Mr Storey carried on the business as bis executor, and subsequently purchased it and ran it on his own account under the old name of McNieol and Co. Later on, when a movement was started amongst farmers for the formation of a Farmers' Auctioneering Company, negotiations were opened with Mr Storey for the acquirement of his business. These negotiations proved successful, and the Farmers' Cooperative Auctioneering Company were fortunate in securing a firmly established and lucrative business on generous terms. Mr Storey was appointed managing director, and in that capacity he devoted all his business acumen and energy in building up and extending the business of the company, until today it stands as a monument to his enterprise and foresight, as one of the most successful institutions of its kind in the Dominion.

For some months past Mr Storey had been in very indifferent health, and dropsy developed. He had lieen under medical treatment for some time, undergoing several operations. This afforded him some relief, but the malady reasserted itself, and while it was hoped that the end would be delayed, it 'was recognised that an absolute cure was hopeless. The end, though not altogether unexpected, came somewhat suddenly, Mr Storey expiring on Saturday evening at his residence, River Road, Claudelands.

Deceased leaves a widow (a daughter of Mr John Primrose, Claudelands). but no family. The funeral left his late residence, Claudelands, for the Bangiaohia Cemetery at noon to-day.