HURUNUI SEAT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 14

HURUNUI SEAT

Mr Pickering To Stand

Mr H. L. Pickering, a farmer, at Motunau Beach, has been chosen as the National Party candidate for the Hurunui by-election on June 3 to fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives caused by the death of Mr W. H. Gillespie. The selection was made by the Hurunui electorate committee of the National Party. Mr Pickering, who is 42. is best known for his broadcasting in the farmers’ "Country Session” and “Home Paddock" from 3YA

He was brought up on a backblocks farm and educated at Marlborough College before going to Canterbury University College and the Teachers’ Training College He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force early in the Second World War. trained as a pilot and spent six years in uniform, including two tours of duty overseas.

Mr Pickering has taken an active interest in the National Party at branch, electorate and division level, serving for six years on the Canterbury division's policy committee Other interests have included the Returned Services’ Association, the Air League, the economic and agriculture committees of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Federated Farmers, the Canterbury Farm Training Council. the Economic Society of Australia and New Zealand, and Heritage Last November Mr Pickering was the National candidate in the Labour stro. ghold of Avon, where there was one of the biggest swings against Labour.