Henry Valder

Henry Valder (14 August 1862 – 12 February 1950) was a New Zealand storekeeper, sawmiller and business reformer.

Early life Valder was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England, in 1862, the son of Mary Collingridge and George Valder, a corn merchant. He went to a church school in Winchester. was one of the few to use the legislation. In 1940 Henry financed a fellowship which produced a 'Report on industrial relations in New Zealand' in 1946.

Family life Whilst briefly in England, Valder married Ellen (Nellie) Green on 17 January 1901 at Edingthorpe. Later that year they sailed back to live in Auckland, before moving to Hamilton three years later. Norah Winifred and Lilian. thumb Ellen and Harry Valder had three daughters, Mollie (born 12 Dec 1901), Norah Winifred (born 1 Dec 1906) and Lilian (born 5 Jan 1911). Edingthorpe was built about 1904 and named after Ellen's home village in Kent. The house was removed when Miropiko Reserve was created about 1980.

Valder's youngest daughter, Lilian, died on 5 August 2001, aged 90. She went to Sonning School and St. Cuthbert's College, was a secretary and, from 1930 to 1963, developed a farm from bush below Mt Pirongia had earlier set up a charitable trust in 1984.

Henry Valder planted many native trees in the grounds of his Hamilton riverside home, Edingthorpe. He was a keen follower of cricket and enjoyed social tennis. Although not a religious man he attended the Anglican church because of the commitment of his wife, Ellen. She died on 2 June 1931.

Valder married a widow, Marie (Daisy) Herbert (formerly Quelch) in Thames on 11 April 1934. He died suddenly at home on 12 February 1950, survived by his three daughters and second wife.