William(2) Grant.
After leaving school William was employed for a time in farming pursuits at "Clairinch" and "Gladfield" but quite early in life commenced his outstanding service to the dairy industry by successively managing a series of dairy factories in Southland and Taranaki; at Hurleyville in the latter province transport was by oxen and dray. In 1904 he joined the newly formed Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture with Headquarters in Wellington as a Dairy Instructor and Grader and almost at once was made Instructor in Cheesemaking for the provinces of Taranaki and Wellington, The claims on his services during a period when new dairy factories were being widely established and when the Division - still in its formative stage - was much concerned about erratic quality were considerable and necessitated lengthy travelling by horse, bicycle and motorcycle and finally car; his advice on factory design, equipment and organisation plus personal ability to secure cooperation from factory managers - a group men of ruggedly independent outlook contributed largely to the departmental objective. A period of service in the South Island as a grader in Dunedin and Lyttelton and instructor in adjacent districts with quarters in Christchurch followed in 1905-6; it was during this period he persuaded the Lyttelton Harbour Board to provide storage for cheese at controlled temperatures - an innovation later adopted at other ports -and organised successfully the first conference of butter factory managers - forerunner of the present annual meetings. He returned to Wellington briefly and in 1909 took up an appointment of District Dairy Instructor with Headquarters in Hawera. In the ensuing 16 years he was closely associated with development of cheese manufacture in South Taranaki including the technique of pasteurisation of milk - resulting in the raising standards in quality and creation of uniformity - and with early developments in separation of cheese whey and the production of whey butter with the resulting economic benefit arising from the recovery of the butterfat left in whey from cheesemaking. Service as Dairy Produce Grader in Patea from 1927 - 1934 and as Dairy Produce Grader and Supervising Grading Officer for the South Island from 1934 to date of retirement in 1936 ended a service of 32 years - of which 25 years had been spent in South Taranaki - and earned for him a warm tribute from the then Director of the Dairy Division and the respect, thanks and affection of very many factory managers.
While at Seaward Downs William married Miss Martha Lind, a daughter of pioneers of Nelson and Southland provinces. He was a very keen follower of Rugby and a capable and enthusiastic bowler. He was a foundation member of the Park Bowling Club (Hawera) and played at St. Alban's (Christchurch) for 25 years and was bowling regularly until the season before his death late in November, 1902, at the age of 91.