The Armour Family

Waihi Borough Council Diamond Jubilee Booklet 1902-1962

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George D. G. Armour will be remembered in Waihi for his "Umbrella Shop," which was unique in the district. He was born in Gibraltar, joined the Navy and came to New Zealand in the early 1860's. After his marriage he settled in Tauranga and continued to follow a sea-faring life captaining boats, including those to Katikati. There were five children. In 1896 the family moved to Waihi, where Mr Armour already worked as a fireman at the mine. His eldest son, George, became a miner and later a tool sharpender [sharpener – E], his last employment in Waihi being turn-cock for the Borough. He took a similar position in Papatoetoe in 1934.

The best known member of the family is still with us, having identified himself well and truly with Waihi. Harry Armour, now seventy-seven years of age, completed his schooling under Miss Truscott and Mr Benge and in 1900 was apprenticed to blacksmith with W. J. Grey, under David Morrow, serving six years. Fifty-four years ago he married Minnie Worth and they have resided in Waihi ever since, but all summer holidays have been spent at the Beach in one of the first cottages erected there over fifty years ago. Their three daughters are Marjorie (Mrs Dixon, Auckland), Sylvia (Mrs Plummer, Paeroa) and Alison (Mrs Broadbent, Hamilton). They have nine grandchildren. Mr Armour was a tool sharpener for 2½ years at the Martha Mine and 2½ years at the Junction, returning to the blacksmith trade in 1911 with D. Morrow and later W. J. Verry. In 1915 he went into his own business in Kenny Street, selling out to Mr Furey after the Second World War. Since then he has continued to work on his own invention — a double-purchase hoof-cutter, which has a market all over New Zealand. Up to the time of writinghehas made well over 6,000 pair.

Mr Armour has always taken a great interest in the life of Waihi. He continues his membership of the Masonic Lodge and Rotary, having played a prominent part in both. He is well known for his humorous recitations. During his travels, of which he had three round the world, he took numerous coloured photographs (including particularly beautiful views of Lake Michigan in the Fall of the Year, after attending a Rotary Convention in Lucerne, Switzerland).

Harry Armour's brother, Fred, is a retired postmaster living at Huntly. His sister, Nell (Mrs Gallie) is at present an inmate of the Waihi Hospital.