MR P. G. RICHES

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28371, 2 September 1957, Page 13

MR P. G. RICHES

Mr Percy George Riches, who died at his home in Akaroa recently, was town clerk of Akaroa for more than 30 years. He was in his seventy-second year. Born in Akaroa, Mr Riches worked as a young man for J. Ballantyne and Company. He went to Britain for some years and returning to New Zealand shortly before World War I was graded unfit for over*as service and acted as a medical orderly in war hospitals. In 1922 Mr Riches was appointed town clerk of Akaroa, a position he held until his retirement in 1953. During that period, he took a prominent part in organising the centennial celebrations in Akaroa in 1940. At the time of his death Mr Riches was secretary of the Akaroa Bowling Club, having served a term as its president. He was secretary of the Phoenix Masonic Lodge, of which he was Master in 1926 and 1937.

A prominent member of the congregation of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Akaroa, Mr Riches had held posts in the vestry. He was closely connected with many district organisations in the capacity of auditor and had filled that position with the Banks Peninsula Returned Services’ Association for many years. Mr Riches married a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Alfred Rhodes, her grandfather, Mr Israel Rhodes, having arrived at Akaroa in 1843 to manage the family’s Flea Bay property, still occupied by the Rhodes family. He is survived by his widow.