OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 269, 24 August 1945, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR HOWARD C. BARTON. FORMER RESIDENT OF CAREW. Mr Howard Collingwood Barton, a former resident of the Ashburton County, died at Geraldine yesterday morning, aped 64. He had been in indifferent health for some time. Mr Barton "was born in Dunedin. He went to work in the Ruapuna-Carew-Mayfield district at the age of IG, and later took up land at Carew, where he farmed until about a year ftgo, when he retired to Geraldine. Mr Barton took a keen interest in all farming affairs, being for a term president of the Mayfield Agricultural and Pastoral Association and also of the Ashburton Association. His membership of the latter Association extended over about 30 years. He was wellknown as a breeder of English Leicester and Shorthorn cattle, and exhibited with success at many shows. A staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Mayfield, Mr Barton was for several years prior to his departure an elder of the church. Probably his chief interest outside his own district was the Ashburton Electric Power Board, of which he was a member for 12 years. He did not . seek office at the last election, and the vacancy was filled by Mr D. Campbell, of Mayfield. Early in his period of residence in the Ashburton County, Mr Barton married Miss McLauchlan, a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. McLauchlan, pioneers of the Ruapuna district, and one of 10 sisters. There was a family of eight—five sons • and three daughters. One son, Mr A.'Barton, lives at Fairlie, Messrs H., F„ and D. Barton still live at Carew, and Mr Fraser Barton lives at Geraldine. Two daughters, Miss H. Barton and Mrs A. Bennington, live at Geraldine; the other, Mrs C. Manchester, resides at Morven.