Death of Mr W. S. Wilson.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue I, 5 July 1902, Page 24

Death of Mr W. S. Wilson.

The hand of death has been busy among Auckland's prominent citizens of late, and it is again our melancholy duty to record the passing of another of the builders of the city in the person of Mr William Seott Wilson, one of the proprietors of the “New Zealand Herald.” Mr Wilson passed away at his residence, Princes-street, on June 28, his end being a peaceful one. He had been in failing health for some time past, and had been rather despondent. The main cause of his illness was weakness of the digestive organs, but the ■immediate cause of death was heart failure. He had been attended by Dr. McDowell, and when more serious developments occurred, about a fortnight ago, Dr. MeKcllar was called in in consultation. Mr Wilson, who was G 7 years of ag-e, was twice married, and leaves a widow and three grown-up sons to mourn their loss. Deceased was the son of the late W. C. Wilson, one of the fathers of New Zealand journalism. He arrived in New Zealand from Tasmania, where he was born, with his father and mother and the rest of the family in 1841, deceased being then six years of age. His father started the “New Zealander” in 1845, the late Mr John Williamson being a partner in the business. The firm introduced the first Caxton press into New Zealand, and also established the first gasworks, a small plant to light the oflice being purchased. In 1863 a dissolution of partnership was effected, and the “New Zealand Herald” was started a few months later. After leaving school deceased joined the staff of the office as a practical printer in the composing room, and rose to the position of foreman, which position he held for some years. Gn the death of his fatherinlB76deceased and hia brother, Mr Joseph L. Wilson, undertook the management of the business, and two years later the “Southern Cross” and the “Herald” ■were amalgamated, Mr A. G. Horton, who had purchased the former paper from Sir Julius Vogel, entering, into partnership. Deceased then left the composing room, and assisted in the management of the paper up till the time of his death. He was. a man of great enterprise, and under his direction the printing works of the “Herald” were extended, he being always ready to avail himself of the most modern improvements in machinery.

On the death of his father, who had taken a prominent part in the foundation of many Auckland institutions, Mr W. Wilson was appointed to most of the directorates thereby rendered vacant, and he continued to bold positions in public companies pp to the time of his death, when he was chairman of directors of the South British Insurance Company, and a director of the Northern S.S. Company. He was almost exclusively devoted to b.is business, and was indisposed to take public oflice of any kind, except those connected with commercial enterprise. In these, as well as in the development of the mining industry, he took a very active part. He was a member of the Wesleyan Church, and was liberal in the support of any religious or philanthropic object. The Y.M.C.A. owes a great deal io the liberality of both himself and his brother, Mr. J. L. Wilson. He was very open-heatted and charitable. He was a very unassuming man, and so attached to Auckland that until within the last ew years be had not been outside Hie colony since his arrival in 1841. He was then induced to pay a visit to Australia, and two years ago, when signs of failing health made it desirable that lie should have a complete change, he paid a visit to England, the trip apparently being of great benefit to his health. After his return he immediately fell into his former groove, and continued bis work until a fortnight ago, when his serious illness overtook him. Deceased won the respect of all with whom he came in contact, and the news of his death will come as a great shock to his wide circle of friends and acquaintances. The flags on the shipping and on

buildings in town were half-masted as a mark of respect to deceased, and In One. hunga the news of the death of Mr. Wilson was received with similar token* al respect.

The funeral of the late Mr W. 8. Wilson left his late residence. Princewstreet, for the Purewa Cemetery, shortly after two o’clock on Monday. A large number of the friends of deceased assembled in the house, and on the pavement in front a small crowd had collected, while large numbers also congregated in the Albert Park, opposite the dwelling. The pathway from the gate to the hearse was lined on one side with directors of the South British Insurance Company and several prominent citizens. ' ineluding “the father of Auckland” (Sir J. L. Campbell), while on the other side were employees of the South British Company, of which deceased was Chairman of Directors. The casket, whieh was a polished oak with brass fittings, was borne to the hearse by six of the oldest employees of the firm, men who had been coworkers with the deceased jrrior to his resignation of active work iu the printing room. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths of white flowers, similar floral tributes being placed on the top of the hearse, while a waggonette was completely filled with those which could not be placed in the hearse. The wreaths were all verj beautiful, and almost every institution and business nouse in the city, besides the personal friends of deceased, sent their offerings of sympathy. The chief mourners were the brother (Mr J. L. Wilson), three sons, and grandson of deceased, also Dr. McDowell and A. C. Whitney, nephew of deceased. In al! nearly fifty vehicles followed the hearse, including two large, brakes filled with employees of the firm.

The Rev. C. 11. Garland, of whose congregation the deceased was an active member, was to conduct the burial service at the grave side.

Amongst those present were: Sir John Logan Campbell, Messrs. A. Kidd (Mayor of Auckland), John McColl (Mayor of Newmarket), Messrs. F. Earl (vice-president), G. S. Kissling, and Gordon (secretary), representing the Northern Club; Messrs. J. H. Upton, T. Peacock, J. Kirker, C. C. McMillan (South British Insurance), G. Winstbne (chairman) ,J. Heron, R. C. Carr, C. B. Stone, and T. Hodgson (secretary), representing Northern Boot and Shoe Company), of whieh deceased was a director for nearly 20 years; J. J. Macky (representing Riverhead Paper Mills), Kerr (representing Northern Steam Company), A. C. Caughey and J. W. Shackleford (representing Wesleyan Church stewards), J. M. White, W. Gunson (chairman of Harbour Board), S. G. Ambury, T. McMaster, Jones, and Mann (representing Wesleyan Church Trustees), Whatford (representing Northcote Anglican Church; F. Bodie (N.Z. Loan and Mercantile. Messrs H. Brett, T. W. Leys, C. Williamson, Colonel Burton W. Berry. W. S. Douglas, A. Bruce, W. Bruce, N. Burton, G. Lane, R. M. Hackett, N. Newcombe. R. Goulstone. G. A. Buttle (chairman Stock Ex* change), D. B. McDonald, J. Macky. D. G. Macdonnell, F. Hull, J. M. Mennie, C. J. Eller, T. Arthur, C. Arthur R. Keesing, W. Marson, T. Adams. F. Rollett, S. Aickin, Creagb, S. Aickin, Rev. Catron Calder, Geo. Higgins, H. Harrop, J. Birch, Rev. Canon Nelson C. Spooner, J. Regan, A. M. Myers, W. Gorrie, J. Savage, D. Tole, W. Coleman, Rev. Simmonds, J. Marshall, Rev. Pinfold, Major Morrow, J. Wiseman, F. A. White, j. Banbury, W. H. ’Churton, Brakenrig, R. Hobbs, J. Edwards, W. Thorne, J. H. Witham, H. Partridge, C. F. Corlett, R. R. Hunt, G. M. Reed, Rev. Griffiths, C. Hemery, J. Savage, Rev. La wry. Rev. W. Gittos, Hon. T. Thompson, A. G. Horton, 11. Horton, A. Horton, Rev. C. H. .Garland, V. Rice,' W. MeCullagh, W. Graham, R. Graham, Rev. Ready, R. B. Shalders, T. Morrin, F. L. Prime, C. Cawkwell, A. 11. Nathan, Bridson, Rev. Father Patterson, J. M. Shera, J. Dykes, W. Spragg, Hume, J. Leekie, P. Oliphant, 11. A. Gordon, P. Darby, John Burns, H. I*. Taylor, S. Vaile, Alex. Rose, A. Bell, D. Craig (N.Z. Insurance Co.), D. \\. Dnthie, Graves Aickin, J. J. Craig. Mariner, A. 11. Grainger. R. Fenwick, Janies Mitchell, and others. - 1