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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. John Abbott

Mr. John Abbott, Old Colonist, was born at Colsterworth, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, in 1832. He was educated at Halifax Place Academy, Nottingham. After leaving the Academy he joined the staff of the Bank of Craddock and Middleton, Lough borough, Leicestershire, and remained there for seven years. He then gave up that appointment and purchased the business of Mr. Thomas Danks, printer and stationer, and started and published the “Loughborough News.” Mr. Abbott came to New Zealand in 1864, in the ship “Caduceus,” with his wife and family, in order to enjoy a milder climate. It was his intention to have gone to the Middle Island and taken a sheep-run, but he had such a horror of the sea, and suffered so much from sea-sickness, that he elected to remain in Auckland. Shortly after his arrival, he entered into partnership with Mr. F. L. Prime, under the style of Prime and Abbott, as grocers, but after six months they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Abbott began buying large stocks of merchandise, and trading in a large way on his own account. Subsequently he entered into the business of a financial and mining agent, which he followed for over a quarter of a century. Mr. Abbott took an active part in public affairs, many of them of a philanthropic character. He was the originator and founder of the New Zealand Jubilee Institute for the Blind in 1890, and with that institution his name will always be associated. Mr. Abbott was chairman and treasurer at the time of his death, and had only been absent from two meetings throughout its career. He took an active interest in the welfare of the inmates of the institution, to whom his death was a serious loss; indeed, in him the blind of the Colony lost one of their best friends. Mr. Abbott was treasurer of the Queensland and Hawke's Bay Flood Relief Funds, and of the Queen's Statue Fund. In fact, there were few public movements in which he did not take a part, and with which his name was not associated. He took an interest in Colonial and municipal affairs, and was a frequent contributor to the Press on matters of local and general interest. Mr. Abbott died on the 15th of January, 1901, at his residence, “Hurstmere,” Lake Takapuna, and left a widow, six sons, and five daughters. The eldest son has been in South Africa for some years. Mr. C. E. Abbott and Claude Abbott were associated with their father in his business as a financial and mining agent. Mr. Lionel Abbott lately returned from England, where he had been studying engineering with Marshall and Sons, of Gainsborough and London. Mr. Reginald Abbott is one of the masters of St. John's College, and the youngest son is at school.

The Late Mr. J. Abbott.

The Late Mr. J. Abbott.