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Who was Hyman Marks?

Hyman Marks: A Legacy of Compassion and Generosity that Continues to Inspire

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Hyman Marks was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1834 and received a "Colonial Certificate of Naturalisation" by the Governor General of New Zealand in 1861.


Hyman Marks had a shoe and boot business in the early days in Christchurch. He was later described as a "financial agent", and he acted as a money lender and property investor. 


Hyman Marks died on 22 May 1895. He is buried in the Jewish section of the Linwood Cemetery in Christchurch, and the tall obelisk bears this simple epitaph:


“He bequeathed his wealth to the poor and afflicted.”


A few months before his death, Hyman Marks discussed his Will with his friend and bank manager, Alexander Ferguson, and they mutually agreed that his estate would be used to fund “local charitable, benevolent, deserving or laudable objectives as the Trustees think fit". With clear instruction that the funds be used “for the relief of the deserving poor of Canterbury through the winter months.”


In his Will, he gave clear instructions to his Trustees as to how they should address the priorities he had resolved through his discussions with Mr. Ferguson.

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The formation of the Hyman Marks Trust

In his Will, Hyman Marks gave clear instructions to his Trustees as to how they should address the priorities he had identified through his discussions with Mr Ferguson.


First, a specific capital sum was made available for the provision of additional beds at Christchurch Hospital. It was common knowledge around Christchurch at the time that the Hospital was overcrowded, but that the Hospital Board had no funds for additional wards, having just completed a new Nurses Home. 


The Hyman Marks Wards opened in 1897 and continued in use for more than 90 years - identified latterly as Wards 5 & 6.


Secondly, the Will set aside funds to provide a measure of relief for those in the community who were experiencing poverty and hardship, particularly during the winter months.


Thirdly, a sum for the discretionary use of the Trustees. This has been directed to various areas of need over the years.


In the years following Hyman Marks's death, a large proportion of the urban and rural real estate in which he had invested was sold in order to carry out his wishes. A few properties were retained for varying periods with the last being sold in 2007. 


The trustees of the Hyman Marks Trust

For more than 100 years the trustees of the Hyman Marks Trust have been meticulous in carrying out the terms of his Will. The original trustees were the Hon. Charles Louisson M.L.C. and Alexander Ferguson, Bank Manager, and, apart from the present two trustees, there have been only eight other trustees in the past 118 years. Naylor G Hillary retired on 28 February 2013 after 59 years as a trustee. He retains the title “Emeritus Trustee”.

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