HON. H. L. MICHEL DEAD.

OLD WEST COAST PIONEER. MERCHANT OF HOKITIKA. (By Telegraph.—Press' Association.) HOKITIKA, this day. The death has occurred of the Hon. H. L. Michel, M.L.C., at the age of 75.

The Hon. H. L. Michel was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, and arrived in New Zealand as a boy. He was educated at Scott's Academy, Hokitika, and became a merchant, being a member of Hokitika Borough Council from 18S5 to 1903, Mayor of the borough for a period of 14 years. Other offices he held at Hokitika were chairman of the Charitable Aid Board, of the Hokitika Harbour Board, the Westland Education Board and the Board of Governors of the High School. Mr. Michel was superintendent of the Westland and Nelson District of New Zealand Freemasons, and was Provincial Grand Master. Notable among his activities was that in connection with fire brigade work. He entered the political arena in 1906, when he contested Westland, but he was defeated by Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon. On the death of Sir Arthur Guiness he contested the Grey seat, and headed the poll on the first ballot, but was defeated by Mr. P. C. Webb on the second. He was one of the senior J.P.'s of New Zealand, and had been a member of the Legislative Council since 1918.