Mountfort, Herbert Benjamin, 1872-1938 (Person)

SummaryBorn Christchurch, 4 January 1872. Youngest son of Charles Wheeler Mountfort and Mary Eliza Mountfort. Educated Gisborne, Napier, Napier High School. Worked for Murray Roberts & Co., Napier; later in business at Wairoa. That venture was taken over by Dalgety & Co.; Mountfort continued as manager. Married Mary Caroline Leigh at Havelock North, 1898.

Moved through Ōtorohanga; recorded in 1917 as an accountant. Came to Tauranga in 1910 after inspecting the town by way of Matamata and the Kaimai Range. Founded Mountfort and Baker with E. T. Baker in the former Theatre Royal, Harington Street. Firm became H. B. Mountfort & Co. Ltd in 1918. Farmers’ merchants. Seed, fertiliser, stock feed, implements, machinery, credit. Introduced grain-crushing to the Bay of Plenty. Supported farmers through bush sickness years, depression and mechanisation.

Bought citrus land at Greerton in 1924. Helped form the Tauranga Citrus Association; secretary for some years. Designed the Morris Street factory buildings and supervised their erection. Established citrus orchards in the Gate Pā district. Churchman, choir member, musician, amateur theatre performer; active in Gilbert and Sullivan productions while in Napier. Died suddenly at Mount Maunganui golf links, 16 April 1938; buried Tauranga. The firm continued under his family until sale to Dalgety N.Z. & Co. Ltd in 1967.SourcesNotes taken during interview with Mrs C. B. Auld and Mr D. C. Mountfort (Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Ams 524/66)H. B. Mountfort & Co. Ltd. 1910–1971: Journal of the Tauranga Historical Society, no. 60, pp. 25–30.The House of Mountfort by Dudley MountfortBellamy, A.C. "Tauranga 1882 - 1982" p 203Obituary, Bay of Plenty Times 19 April 1938, Page 2Electoral RollsWiki Tree: Herbert Benjamin Mountfort (1872 - 1938)

Performing in the town hall, 1919. Part of Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries Photo 05-114

Usage

Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Mountfort, Herbert Benjamin, 1872-1938 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)Herbert BenjaminSurnameMountfortDate of Birth4 January 1872Place of BirthChristchurchDate of Death1938OccupationFarmers’ merchant

Whānau

MotherMountfort, Mary Eliza née FatherMountfort, Charles Wheeler

Partner

PartnerMountfort, Mary Caroline née LeighDate Married1898

Settler Information

Name of ShipCharlotte Jane

Admin

AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

Menu

Mountfort, Herbert Benjamin, 1872-1938 (Person)