OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25363, 10 December 1947, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR C. I. JENNINGS, M.B.E. The death occurred yesterday of Mr Charles Ivory Jennings, M.8.E., aged 87 years, the oldest native born resident of Rangiora. Born in what is now known as the Bank of New Zealand corner on Good Friday, April 6, 1860, Mr Jennings spent the whole of his life in Rangiora, where his parents, who came from London, settled at the end of 1857. At the age of 14 years Mr Jennings commenced his business career delivering the ‘‘Lyttelton Times” and “Star” newspapers in the township. He eventually took over his father’s book-sellihg and stationery business. In 1882 he was appointed agent and correspondent for the “Lyttelton Times* in Rangiora, and shortly afterwards he was placed in-charge of the company’s business throughout North Canterbury. He remained with the company until its dissolution in 1935, when the ‘‘Lyttelton Times” ceased publication. Mr Jennings retired from journalism in 1931. In 1878 Mr Jennings commenced his public life as secretary of the Rangiora Horticultural Society, and a year later he was appointed secretary of the Rangiora Brass Band, which was first formed in 1879. In 1885 he was elected to the Rangiora Borough Council and he retained

his seat for 43 years, occupying the Mayoral office for nine years, and the position of deputy-Mayor for a long period. It is largely due to his efforts that both gas and electricity were installed in the borough. Mr Jennings retained his connexion with the municipal office, as he was one of the borough sinking fund commissioners, and had been the secretary and treasurer of the Mayor’s Relief Fund for the last 14 years.

Work for M.U., 1.0.0. F. Only recently Mr Jennings resigned from the position of secretary to the Ashley District M.U., 1.0.0. F. (N.Z.), a position he held for 61$ years, a period which is considered a record for New Zealand, and possibly for the world. When he took office the membership was 390 and the finances £4OOO. To-day the roll number is 1282 and the funds amount to £71,818. A member of the John Knox Presbyterian Church congregation for more than 70 years, Mr Jennings was session clerk for more than 40 years and church secretary for a long period. He was an active member of the choir for 55 years, including 18 years as choirmaster, and had received the Presbyterian Assembly’s diploma for 52 years’ service on the teaching staff of the Sunday school. Recently he wrote a full history of the church from the year 1863 when regular services were commenced in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Mr Jennings had been a Justice of the Peace for nearly half a century, and was a patron of the Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association. In the 1947 Birthday Honours List, Mr Jennings was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.8.E.). This honour was conferred on him for the lifetime of service he gave Rangiora. since he took up his first public office nearly 70 years ago. Mr Jennings was connected with other bodies in the township, not-* able amohg which were the Rangiora Investment and Building Society, of Which he was chairman for the last 23 years; the Rangiora Domain Board (Secretary for 48 years), the Fire Board (auditor for 50 years), and for many other minor bodies. In 19C5 Mr Jennings received the King George V Jubilee Medal. He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Miss F. Jennings. Mr and Mrs Jennings celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in Rangiora last year.