Atack of Christchurch and the Wairarapa

ATACK, William Harrington
Born Southhampton, England, 4 Jan 1857, died 17 Sep 1945, Wellington, New Zealand.

Obituary reads:

MR W.H. ATACK
The death took place in Wellington yesterday of Mr. William Harrington Atack, aged 88; one of the best-known journalists in the Dominion, and from 1886 until 1930 manager of the United Press Association (now the New Zealand Press Association).

Mr Atack was born in Southampton, England, and came to Christchurch with his parents when two years old. He was educated at the old High School in that city, and at Christ's College, and in 1875 joined the journalistic staff of the "Lyttleton Times." The following year he became a sub-editor. Mr. Atack remained with that journal until 1886, in which year he came to Wellington to join the Press Association, much of the work of which he pioneered throughout the Dominion. He was a prominent member of the Press Gallery at the House of Representatives, and, apart from his journalistic work, found time to pay attention to various aspects of sport.

In 1906 Mr. Atack visited the United States and Europe. He was in California at the time of the San Francisco earthquake, and lost all his personal possessions.

In Wellington he became prominently identified with the Savage Club, in which he held office as Chief Savage. He was associated with the foundation of the Charley's Aunt Club, and was a keen supporter of the Wellington Competitions in the early days of that movement.

It was through his connection with the Press Association, however, in which he succeeded the late Mr. George Humphries as manager, that Mr. Atack will be best remembered. When he retired in 1930 after 44 years of service, tribute was paid to his work for that organisation.

Since his retirement Mr. Atack has lived in Wellington with his daughters, the Misses Ethel and Eileen Atack. Mr Arthur Atack, his only son, has been farming in the Tinui district, Wairarapa, for many years. Mrs. Atack died in 1937. Evening Post, 17 Sept 1945, page 6

William Harrington ATACK married Ada MACKETT in 1886. She died on 3 January 1937.

OBITUARY. MRS. W.H. ATACK
WELLINGTON, This Day (Press Association)

The death occurred at Wellington yesterday of Mrs. Atack, wife of Mr. W.H. Atack, formerly manager of the United Press Association.

Mrs. Atack before her marriage was Miss Ada Mackett and was engaged in the teaching profession, having been trained in England. She came to New Zealand with her parents in the ship Ocean Mail in 1874. The family settled in Christchurch where her father followed the occupation of a horticulturalist. At that time the national education system of New Zealand was getting under way and certificated teachers from England were welcomed by education boards. Mrs. Atack was engaged in teaching until her marriage, the final position she occupied being headmistress of South Christchurch infant school. She was very musical and was a frequent popular performer at concerts in Christchurch. On her marriage in 1886 she came to Wellington and has resided there since. Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 Jan 1937, page 4

They had three children:

1. Ethel Annis Harrington ATACK, born 1887, died in Levin, 1975. She did not marry.

2. Arthur Ernest Harrington ATACK, born 26 Aug 1888, died 12 Jul 1958.
Arthur married Lilian Maud SCHOFIELD, (born 15 Oct 1893), on 27 Aug 1918, at St Matthew's Anglican Church, Masterton.

A pretty wedding was celebrated at St. Matthew's Church, Masterton, yesterday afternoon, when Miss Schofield, of Tenui, was married to Mr Atack, son of Mr W.H. Atack, manager of the Press Association. Wairarapa Daily Times, 28 Aug 1918, page 5

They farmed at 'Hapairangi,' Mangapakeha, Masterton.

--Arthur and Lilian's children were:

----Shirley Annis ATACK, born 7 May 1921, who married Robert Henry MITCHELL in St Matthew's Anglican Church, Masterton, in 1947. Shirley died in 13 Jul 2009 and Robert in 6 May 1989.

----Ngaire Joan ATACK, born 9 Nov 1923, who married John Pierce WILLIAMS on 1 Mar 1947. Ngaire died in 1973 and John in 2013.

----[daughter] ATACK,

----Barbara Harrington ATACK, born 10 Mar 1929, who married Hector Corkill. Barbara died on 17 Jul 2017 and Hector on 18 Dec 1996.

----Phyllis Jean ATACK photo, born 9 Jun 1930, who married Gordon Thomas MEIKLE. Phyllis died in 9 Dec 2019 and Gordon in 2010.

----Lawrence Harrington ATACK, born 31 Jan 1933, who married Anne Hilary MUIR, c1956. The couple farmed at 'Hapairangi,' Mangapakeha, Masterton, for many years. In later years, Lawrence sold the farm and he and Hilary moved to Tinui Village, where he became the county overseer for the Castlepoint County Council. His wife, Hilary, was for many years secretary of Mangapakeha School. When that closed in 1961 she became secretary of Tinui School. Lawrence died on 16 Oct 2019 and his wife Hilary in 2015.

3. Eileen Harrington ATACK, born 1890, died 19 Aug 1986, in Levin, Horowhenua District. She did not marry.