Obituary MR J. H. POWELL

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 18

Obituary MR J. H. POWELL

One of Buller’s oldest and most colourful personalities. Mr John Henry Powell, died at Westport recently, aged 81. Born at Brighton, south of Charleston, he first attended school at Brighton and later at Charleston. After driving stock from the Fox River at the early age of 14 years, Mr Powell later had a dairy farm at Charleston before trying his hand at gold digging. He worked a sluicing claim at Darkeys Terrace, Charleston. During this period Mr Powell acquired the European Hotel at Charleston, and during their 60 years in this hotel Mr and Mrs Powell gathered a wonderful collection of photographs, curios, and mineral specimens, including a beetle set in kauri gum and a petrified mushroom. Interested in public affairs, Mr Powell became a member of the Buller County Council and remained on that body for 53 yean, including several periods as chairman.

Mr Powell also had an interest in the Rata coalmine, which was managed by his sons, Messrs Bill and Alex Powell, He helped to form the Buller Rugby Union, and played in the first Buller Rugby team. He leaves besides his wife two sons, Harold and Alex, and two daughters, Irene (Mrs Alford.) and Nancy (Mrs Orueripei). MRE. B. TAYLOR (N.t. Press Association! WELLINGTON, June 19. The former Assistant Secretary of Labour, Mr Edward Bellamy Taylor, died at his home in Lyall Bay on Friday. He was 67. Mr Taylor spent 40 years in the Labour Department, which he joined at the age of 15. He retired in 1954.

Mr Taylor was responsible for the preparation of all major labour legislation from 1936 to his retirement, and drafted many important acts of Parliament. He served under manj Ministers of Labour and represented New Zealand al a number of international labour conferences in Geneva, Ceylon, the United Stater, and New Delhi.