Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Tuesday 22 February 1927, page 14


DEATH OF MR. HENRY RYMILL.

The death of Mr. Henry Rymill in his 91st year, which occurred on Monday, has removed a gentleman who has been a familiar figure in Adelaide for several de-

cades. Few men were better known in business and financial circles than the genial veteran, who always cultivated an optimistic outlook on life and kept him self well abreast of the times. He re-presented the fine type of colonist who brought energy and ablity to bear on all the duties in which he was engaged, and in his young days was content to give of his best, even though the re-muneration he received was small. He arrived in this State when 19 years of age, having travelled by the sailing ship Caucasian, a vessel of a little over 500 tons, after a voyage lasting four months. He had as fellow passengers besides his brother (Mr. Frank Rymill), Mr. George Tinline, a former manager of the Bank of' South Australia, and his family, and Cap-tain Allen, who interested himself a great deal in St. Peter's College. A native of London, Mr. Rymill was born in 1836, the year of the foundation of South Australia. He was the last survivor of a family of eight. Prior to leaving England he was employed as clerk in a lawyer's office, and the training he there received and the experience gained stood him in good stead in his subsequent career. It was largely through the per-suasions of his brother-in-law, Mr. J. B. Graham, of the Burra mine, whose resi-dence at Prospect was long known as

"Graham's Castle," that he decided to make his home in this part of the world. From Mr. Graham he received glowing accounts of the new country and the oppor tunities it offered to energy and enter-prise. Being a young man oi lively imagi-nation and eager for a wider field for the use of his undoubted gifts for business, he determined to make the venture, which he never afterwards regetted. He found that to a well-educated youth of good family and with the grit to persevere South Aus-tralia, had much to offer. The first few months' experience was not altogether encouraging. He and his brother Frank met with not a few rebuffs in their en-deavors to secure employment of a kind suitable to their tastes and training. Mr. Rymill soon discovered that he must be prepared to turn his hand to whatever employment offered, and it is an indica-tion of how thoroughly he absorbed the idea that he must adapt himself to local circumstances, that he accepted work as a gardener at 12/ a week and his board. A chance meeting with Captain Hughes (afterwards Sir Walter Watson Hughes) at the house of Mr. A. J. Baker. in Dorsetta-terrace, Flinders-street. Ade-laide, was a memorable event, for not only did it lead to Mr. Rymill getting a start as a gardener at Watervale. but he subse-quently married Mr. Baker's daughter. To a man of his mode of life digging and hoe-ing proved hard work, but he pluckily faced the difficulties. It was a trial to him at this time to have to part with his brother Frank, for he knew comparatively few people in the land of his adoption. Mr Frank Rymill went to Wallaroo as a shepherd. Later the Wallaroo copper mines were opened on the run where he was engaged. Impressed with the quali-ties of the young colonist, Mr. Ayers (afterwards Sir Henry) offered Mr. Rymill a post as bookkeeper and cashier of the South Australian Mining Association, which at that time had offices in Water-house Chambers. This was more in keeping with the tastes and the English experience of the young immigrant, and it opened up to him new vistas of life and prosperity. It did not take him long to familiarise himself with the business and office side of mining. He soon be came an authority on matters connected not only with copper but other minerals, and with finance generally. In 1862 Mr. Rymill decided to enter into business on his own account. At that time his brother was secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and that venture of Mr. Henry Rymill was so successful that he took Mr. Frank into partnership a little later on. His activi ties expanded in other directions also. The pastoral industries of the State were rapidly developing, and he acquired an extensive interest in the famous Canowie Pastoral Company, of which he was for many years one of the directors. Bank-ing, too, claimed his attention, and he was associated with the directorate of the Bank of Adelaide for a long period. As a director of the Adelaide Mill-ing Co., he gained experience in another branch of Australian in-dustry and commerce. He also served on the directorate of the Victoria Insurance Company. Indeed he became an acknowledged financial expert, as well as an authority on mining and pastoral matters. He was a many-sided man, with numerous financial interests, and his ad-vice and opinion on questions relating to Australian progress and prosperity were eagerly sought after. He also found a congenial sphere for his remarkable energy in the Central Board of Health, of which he was for a time one of the mainstays, and in connection with the Wyatt Benevo-lent Fund. Mr. Rymill was a man of decided ideas, and he had an unshaken faith in the future of South Australia, and indeed of the whole of the continent. He held, how-ever, that sound business principles were quite as essential in the management of public affairs as in private matters. One of his views in regard to business life was that to a large extent a man should be the executor of his own estate, aud he put this principle into practice about thirty years ago by dividing up a considerable portion of his property amongst the mem-bers of his family. Although 90 years of age on May 1 last, he remained remarkably vigorous until a few months ago, and he retained a keen interest in business and other affairs. He was a familiar figure in his motor car driving to and from his office, with the air of a man alert in mind and active in body, with a genial countenance and a nod of recognition for acquaintances, and a cheery word for friends. About three months ago, however, his health gave way, and the end, which occurred on Monday morning, was not unexpected. In ac-cordance with his wish he was buried in the afternoon of the same day. His wife, a daughter of Sir Arthur John Baker, a former superintendent of the Adelaide Fire Brigade, died in 1885. There are five sons living Messrs. H. E. Rymill, A. G. Rymill. H. L. Rymill, and E. B. Rymill, and two daughters, Mrs. A. A. Lendon (wife of Dr. Lendon), and Miss Rymill.

Mr. Henry Rymill