OBITUARY Mr H. C. B. Withell

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32661, 17 July 1971, Page 18

OBITUARY Mr H. C. B. Withell

An Ashburton sheepfarmer with an impressive record of service in local government, Mr Henry Charles Bayly Withell, died yesterday at Ashburton. He was aged 83.

Mr Withell was born at Tai Tapu and was educated at Waitaki Boys’ High School, where he played for the First XV.

He was a breeder of Ryeland stud sheep and took a keen interest in farming affairs, being a past president of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr Withell was also a former president of the MidCanterbury Fanners’ Union, and during World War II was the, chairman of the Mid-Canterbury Primary Producers’ Council. Mr Withell served on the Ashburton County Council between 1920 and 1956, and was chairman for two terms. He was a member of the No. 15 Districts Roads Council and the Main Highways Board, and was chairman of the Rangitata Road Board. He was a former vice-president of the New Zealand Counties’ Association and served for a period as a director of the New Zealand Counties’ Insurance Company. As well, Mr Withell served on the Ashburton Hospital Board for a period from 1939, and was a former member of the Peel Forest Park Board. The president of the Ash- : burton Rotary Club in 1954- , 55, Mr Withell was a pastpresident of the Canterbury Progress League, and was a past-president of the Ashburton Photographic Society. Mr Withell was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1955 for his services to local government.