OBITUARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1930, Page 5

OBITUARY.

HON. 11. L. MICHEL, M.L.C. AETAT, 76 YEARS. The death took- place at his residence, Stafford Street, somewhat suddenly early this morning of the’ Hon. Henry Leslie Michel, M.L.C. Deceased way about' yesterday in his. usual health, though- looking very frail. The Vdfbeasetl was born at 1 Newcastle ,_-New South Wales, inV.ilßs4, and was therefore 76 years of age. He Hokitika in 1860, with his ,-piirents/')and 'lifts the • age of went Viiito.-tlie''cmploy of the fjtem of which lie later became the proprietor having been practically engaged all his life thereon. In Ins . early ■, days Mr Michel took a prominent part in band matters and was a. well known member of the local bands for ajynuni- . her of years. He was also a member of the First Westland Rifles over a long period of years. He joined the Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade at an early age and later - was elected Captain, a position that he held for a long period. 111 1896 he was elected President of ..the. Newj Brigades Association and - -.was - instrumental in the drawing up. ,Ckf[ I the Eire Boards Bill which £ was;j Thter made law and has prpygd such tinct success. \ ~4.,• ; r'\ In civic,,life Mr Migiiel.-proved ‘one

In civic.,life Mr Michel of the' most notable'cjtizfns he served on the Bor'ohgti Council 'ffotn 1885. He was Mayor in 1886-7 from J 897 to 1903, He wu.y G/haiftfcan of the .first Chantabe .Aicf B«ard. when the Act of 1885 ‘was brought into force. Mr Michel was for many years associated with the* "VVestlimil Education Board and was Chairman at the time of the amalgamation-with the Canterbury Board. He was a member of the Hokitika Harbour Board for many years, and has been a member and Chairman of the Hokitika High School-Board from the eary days until the present time. He was elected Chairman of the Hokitika Fire Board when it was first set. up and has (joi^tily^ed, ye-elected Chairman ever since. w -’ He ' ■ was? a •member -of-7-ihe - - Westland- 2iX3Sunty Council forseveral., years.,.. and...has been Jassoci ated'-’' ‘with* ;!, KvißtlJtn.d .Racing Club .apd.-many outlier, ( kiirared bodies. ,J: 'f. •! I -I?', T In Masonic, circles the deceased phad always taken a very active part • •and in addition to being Superintendent for yiVVestlipid rand. Nelson under 'tliej New jZbaland Constitution, ■hhd' also filled' the position of G*and Master for New Zealand. Mucli'.interest was’ takenfby Mh-difichel iA-ithe work of the Beautifying' Association of which he had been President since its inception and gnany local “improvements carried 'but were due. 1 ! to his actions in that capacity.

Mr contested;; the Westland seat occafWs Grey aeafpifcut w/ts'•imauccesfliful, r" Ido was appointed G ?i indl on f 7th 'liny-.,4®. iKdl¥a»appointejJ|:; m , f . ... iflid' of the ..portions" held by Mr Michel'irriihcr #rse of his lengthy piMit; cfirserV-j£ 15 Mayor bf HokitM forslSAyeark. Member of Borough -Connell-for; 35 wf, \ Captain of . the Fife 2/ years. f f??.. Chairman of the Fire Board. Chairman of the WesJand Board of Education. -j'} Chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards . President of the Hospital Committee. Member of the School Committee. Cljairman of the High School Boafd. Chairman of the School Commissioners. • ' '' > |l’ Member and" Chairman -of the -Harbour Board. ■ ‘ Ja Meml>er of the GreynidutTf. Hainifpur Board. :j Trustee of the Savings Bank. £ Justice of the Peace • fo'E a/quip’ter of a ctinturv. 1 • : '-e* : Visiting Justice-to t-bd Prison, jgg • Official Visitor to the Mental Hospitals /■>•■ v -'ylo k j President of the Pare. soeiation of New Zealand. Director of the' Wetland Timber Trading Company. Chairman of Directors of the Ro3S Goldfields, Ltd. Chairman of the Rimu Goldfields Syndicate. Chairman of the "Westland Building Societies. Deceased leaves a widow and family of three daughters (Mrs Saywell, of Greymouth, Mrs W. of Invercargill, and Mrs J- Strawbridge, "Wellington), and four sons, (Garnet, Henry, Harold an.d Leslie, all residing in the district),,^Superintendent J. J- Mclntosh telegraphed from Whangarei this afternoon United Fire Brigades Conference adjourned for two hours as a mark of respect to the memory of Past President H. L. Michel.