William James Girling

   Another name for William was Will.

  General Notes:

Will began school at coromandel, and when his parents moved to New Plymouth attended Central primrary School where he was appointed dux and achieved a scholarship to N.P.Boys High.

After leaving school he was took up an apprenticeship as carpenter and builder with N.P Sash and Door , later moving to wellington where he met and married Alice.
For a time, he apparently lived at 98 Rhodes st Newtown.

Their first home was in Leach st just east of the Elliot St rail station, then to a unit in Molsworth st and then to 111 Buller st where they lived for several years.

In July 1917 they bought property at 95 leach st.

Will worked for Boon Bros, first in the joinery factory, and latter as a builder, one of his first projects was the mountain house at north egmont.
Eventually he became foreman and built many of Taranaki's landmark buildings, Taranaki farmers freezing works,smart road, Midhurst dairy and casein factorys and the New Plymouth Opera house among them.

During his career he went into business in his own right and from time to time entered into partnership, Girling & Todd, Girling & Frewin, Girling & Gemmell were all well respected in the trade.

Will enjoyed most sports especially cricket and swimming, and encouraged his sons to do so.
Aparently he was quite a good bowler.
In a Taranaki Herald cricket report on 08/11/1909 he is note as bowling four for 25.
There are many similar reports of him bowling for the Fire Brigade club, his batting, however, was not great and usually he scored no more than two runs.
The Evening Post of 21/09/1908 reports a trophy for bowling presented by the Templars Cricket Club to Bro W, Girling.

  Occupation:

• Builder. Built many landmark buildings in and around New Plymouth N.Z.

William married Alice Caroline Mallard, daughter of John Mallard and Kate Selina Vickery, on 24 Sep 1908 in Wellington New Zealand. (Alice Caroline Mallard was born on 22 Nov 1883 in Christchurch Newzealand and died on 8 Jul 1967 in New Plymouth New Zealand.)