Death of sister city mayor

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 10

Death of sister city mayor

Mr Thomas Staniforth, a former Mayor of Christchurch. England, and a long-time supporter of Christchurch. New Zealand, died on April 18. He was the first Labour mayor to be elected in Christchurch. England. Mr Staniforth made many friends in Christ-' church when he attended the Commonwealth Games here in January, 1974. At the time, he was Mayor of Christchurch. Hampshire, and it seemed likely he would he the last to hold that office — his home town was expected to lose its identity as a borough and be abosrbed into a new county district that April. As it turned out, the borough retained its identity in the boundary adjustments, merely

becoming part of Dorset. Mr Staniforth remained as mayor for the customary 12-month period, from May. 1973. until May. 1974. The visit to Christchurch followed an earlier trip to England by Christchurch’s then mayor, Mr Neville Pickering. Mr Staniforth said during his stay that he had been “overwhelmed” by the hospitality here — he

had had three offers of accommodation before he had left Christchurch Airport. Later, he wrote to the Christchurch City Council: “My enthusiasm for vour city' and its people is apparently so obvious that it is being whispered that I am really a New Zealander on holiday in England.” Home in England again. Mr Staniforth began .actively to promote Christ-

church, New Zealand, ing lectures to local clubs and organisations. To heln<& him he had a set of slidesif given by the Town Clerk ■■ of Christchurch (Mr J. H ;4 Gray). member of his council from 1961 until T the time of his death/ Most recently, he held the - post of chairman of the.’M borough’s planning com-S mittee. He was also a Jus-T--tice of the Peace. Ty