OBITUARY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27679, 8 June 1955, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR C. L. ORBELL Mr Charles Leslie Orbell, a prominent South Canterbury farmer and well known throughout New Zealand as a racing owner and administrator, nas died in Auckland. He attended race meetings at Ellerslie on Saturday and Monday with his family. He was aged Born Timaru in 1884, Mr Orbell was the son of Mr Charles Newman Orbell, of Essex, who came to New Zealand in 1863 as manager of the New Zealand Land Company and later took over The Levels Estate. His mother was Mrs Georgina Fredericka Orbell (nee Ferguson), of Edinburgh. During his education at Christ’s College from 1897 td 1902, Mr Orbell took an active part in athletics, cricket and Rugby. He was in the first fifteen in 1902, and the first eleven in 1901 and 1902. Later he was New Zealand high jump champion for lour years from 1907 to 1910. In 1908 he also won the Australian high jump title in Tasmania with a height of sft lOin. He represented Canterbury at athletics from 1905 to 1910.

After leaving Christ’s College in 1902. Mr Orbell gained pastoral experience with his father on The Levels station before he bought his own property of Pentlow, the Levels. He farmed there until about two years ago when he retired to live in Timaru. He also owned the property of Grasmere. Cass, and was a member of the committee and a president of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Mr Orbell. a breeder of hunters and thoroughbreds, had a life-long interest in hunting and racing. Master of the South Cantebury Hunt Club for 25 years, a member of the New Zealand Horse Society, and South Canterbury district commissioner of pony clubs, he was considered one of the finest judges of thoroughbreds in the country. He was frequently a judge at agricultural shows. For many years an energetic member of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, Mr Orbell held the office of vicepresident, and also the presidency for three years. He was a delegate to the Racing Conference and a member of the Canterbury District Committee, the governing body of racing in the province. In partnership with his brother, Mr W. H. Orbell, he raced many iumpers successfully, Corinthian being one that is remembered by racegoers as winner of the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton in 1930. Another good performer was Cloister, winner of the Pentjow Steeplechase at the South Canterbury Jockey Club meeting in 1953. Among his many business associations, Mr Orbell was a director of the Trustees Executors and Agency Company of New Zealand. Ltd., of Newburn Minerals, Ltd., and of Timaru Potteries, Ltd. Mr Orbell is survived by his widow. Mrs Sylvia Mary Orbell, and four daughters—Mesdames M. Wilder (Waipukurau). R. R. Westenra (Totara Valley), M. B. Savill (Ashburton), and T. D. Herrick (Auckland).

MR lAN COSTER (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Ju )e 6. Mr lan Coster, formerly of Christchurch, died yesterday at St. Pancras Hospital, London. He had previously suffered a stroke, from which he had recovered, only to be taken seriously ill a week before he died. Mr Coster began journalism on “The Press” in Christchurch, and later went to the “Sun” in Auckland. He worked for a period in Sydney before coming to London in 1930. , He quickly found a footing on the “Sunday Dispatch,” and later moved to the “Evening Standard.” During the war he served with the Royal Marines, and on returning to London joined the “Daily Mail,” and then the “News of the World,” for whom he had been writing a column on television. He revisited New Zealand a few years ago. He was a special writer for “Nash’s” Magazine, a contributor to “Lilliput,” and other national magazines. Mr Coster made a name as a brilliant columnist, and was one of the' most popular men in Fleet street. His book, “Friends in Aspic,” was published just before the outbreak of war. He leaves a widow and a son by a second marriage. During his convalescence he made a special effort to attend the memorial service to his old friend and editor, Percy Crisp. He was also a close friend of the New Zealand author, John Brodie, who died a few months ago. Mr Coster was in his early fifties. MR L. P. LONGUET Mr Louis Philip Longuet, a wellknown resident of Sumner for many years, died at Christchurch on Monday morning after a long illness. For 42 years he was on the teaching staff at the School for the Deaf at Sumner —for many years as first assistant. Mr Longuet was born at Lyttelton 73 years ago, and was trained at the Normal School, Christchurch, afterwards teaching at various Canterbury schools, including Lyttelton. Mr Longuet was a past master of Sumner Masonic Lodge, and for many years chaplain, a position he held at the time of his death. He was also a prominent Oddfellow, holding the office of secretary of the Woolston Lodge for 25 years. He was a member of the Sumner Bowling Club.

Mr Longuet is survived by his wife, and one daughter, Mrs A. Farquhar, or New Brighton.