Obituary Mr John Scott

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 23

Obituary Mr John Scott

Mr John Somerville Scott, a former long-term Heathcote County councillor and chairman, has died in Christchurch, aged 71.

Mr Scott was born in Christchurch and farmed for most of his life on the family property in Heathcote Valley. He also followed a family tradition of local government involvement. He was elected to the Heathcote County Council in 1950, to retire from it 27 years later.

He was chairman of many committees during that time, and of the council for three years. His father had previously sat on the council.

In 1953, he was appointed council representative on the Selwyn Plantation Board, and served until 1980, for many years as deputy chairman and latterly as chairman. His interest in trees was broad. As a farmer he recognised the value of trees as shelter belts and a source of extra income but he also saw their

aesthetic and economic value. Many of the pine oaks in Heathcote County are testament to Mr Scott’s interest in beautifying the county with trees. Pine oaks were chosen as the species most likely to survive. The provision of reserves and outdoor facilities was another area that Mr Scott was interested in.

About 30 years ago he was made president of the newly formed Ferrymead Pony Club. He retired from it nine years ago.

He was also instrumental in getting the Fen-y--mead Trust’s historical park started, and negotiating for the land that it is on.

Work was his recreation. As well as farming in Heathcote, working for councils and organisations, Mr Scott regularly visited and worked on a 360 hectare farm in Oxford that he had developed.

Mr Scott is survived by his wife, four daughters, and a son.