OBITUARY

HON. H. L. MICHEL, M.L.C,

The death at the age of 72 of the Hon. H. L. Michel, M.L.C., is announced in a Press Association telegram fram. Hokitika.

The Hon. Henry Leslio Michel was born at Newcastle, New South Wales, in 1858, and came to New Zealand as a boy, landing at Hokitika, where, after receiving his education at Scott's Academy, he followed commercial pursuits. At the ago of fourteen he joined the service of tho firm of general merchants of which he later became a partner.under the stylo of Paterson, Michel, and Co. He played an active part in local body politics, being associated for many years with the Westland Education Board, the Harbour Board, and the High School Board. In 1885 he was elected to the Hokitika Borough Council, and in the following year became Mayor, holding office for one term. Subsequently he was again Mayor of tho borough from 1897 until 1903. His municipal policy was always of a progressive nature. He was chairman of the first Charitable Aid Board when the Act of 1885 was brought into force. For twenty-seven years he was. captain of the local'fire brigade, and as president of the Fire Brigades' Association he was largely responsible for a good deal of legislation %vhich was passed governing fire brigade activities. As a Freemason, Mr. Michel was for dome time superintendent of the Westland and Nelson district, and held other high offices in Grand Lodge. Mr. Michel always willingly helped the promotion of useful local objects, and was president of numerous clubs and' societies. In ISS7 ho received a numerously-signed requisition to stand for Parliament, but ho declined to accede to the request. On the death of Mr. R. J. Seddon, however, in 1900, he contested the Westland seat, being defeated by Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon. On the death of Sir Arthur Guinness (Speaker of the- House of Representatives), ho contested the Grey scat, heading the poll on tho first ballot, but suffering defeat by Mr. P. C. Webb on the second ballot.- In 1918 ho was called to the Legislative Council, and he was re-appointed in 1925.