COCK, RICHARD (1851-1936) was born at New Plymouth, the son of Richard Cock (1820-85), and educated at Crompton's school. At an early age he was apprenticed for seven years as a chemist under Dr E. L. Humphries, who also managed a wine and spirit business. During this period (1864) he accompanied the 43rd Regiment into the field on active service. He commenced volunteering in 1868 and was a keen soldier throughout, being colour-sergeant to the left half-company at Parihaka (1881).

In 1875 he went into business as a wine and spirit merchant. For many years he took a leading part in local government. He was a borough councillor (1881-85, 1889-91) and was mayor (1903-06); a member of the harbour board (sometime chairman) and a sinking fund commissioner; a trustee of the New Plymouth Savings Bank from 1893 (chairman 1921-36); chairman of the hospital board; chairman of the school commissioners until their abolition; a director of the Taranaki Building Society from 1884 (chairman 1892-1936) and a founder of the Taranaki chamber of commerce. He was one of the promoters of the Crown Dairy Co., a director of the New Plymouth Sash and Door Co.; chairman of the Petroleum Co. in the eighties; one of the first directors of the Moturoa Freezing Co., and a director of several of the ironsand companies during the managership of E. M. Smith and D. Atkinson. He was president of the Industrial Exhibition (1904-05).

Cock was a prominent freemason and an officebearer of the M.U.I.O.O.F. He married (1876) Alice Maud, daughter of James Taylor (Wellington). He died on 28 May 1936.

Philpott; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1932; Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); Taranaki Herald, 28 May 1936.

Reference: Volume 1, page 99

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