Mr. P. T. W. Black, of BP’s

Mr Percy Tasman Wulric Black, who spent 54 years in the employ of Burns Philp and Co Ltd, the last five as general manager, has died, aged 81. Along with his predecessor as general manager, the late Joe Mitchell, and the late James Burns, son of one of the founders of the firm, he helped to build BPs into the strong and profitable complex it is today.

Mr Black had no easy row to hoe to the top, even though his father, Mr P. G. Black, who joined BPs in the early 1 880 s, was also one of the early GMs in the firm’s history, and was general manager when his son set out on a career with the old firm.

In 1917, after education at Knox College, Sydney, and gaining his B.Ec degree at Sydney University, Mr Black went into a comparatively low position in the inspection department.

Then, like so many successful BP

men, he went to sea, starting as as sistant purser in the company’s ships, trading from Australia to the Pacific Islands. This job called for a knowledge of copra and other Is lands produce. He would go ashore in the landing boats at the remote is lands, check the quantity and quali ty of the produce, and pay the growers.

He became closely linked with Burns Philp (SS) Co Ltd after that company-was incorporated in 1920.

He was then placed in charge of the South Sea department at Sydney headquarters, succeeding Mr Mitchell who had been promoted to general manager. Mr Black joined the board of the South Sea company in 1942, and was appointed to the parent company’s board in 1947.

His position as general manager de manded that he sit on the board of many other subsidiary and as sociated companies.