Mr W. T. Rice

Press, 9 November 1984, Page 7

Mr W. T. Rice

Mr William Trevor Rice, a Waimairi District councillor for 22 years and for a year the council’s deputy chairman, died yesterday. He was 67.

Mr Rice was the deputy chairman of the council’s works, reserves, and traffic committee and active in Redwood community affairs.

He was a vigorous opponent of a proposed northern rubbish transfer station. Last November he became chairman of the Christchurch Metropolitan Refuse Disposal Committee.

The Waimairi District Chairman, Mrs Margaret Murray, said that although Mr Rice had been ill earlier this week his death had come as a great shock. Mr Rice “brought considerable mana to his position because of his experience, diligence, and ability to never lose his cool when under pressure,” she said. He “did his homework” and arguments had to be good to stand up to his.

For 21 years Mr Rice was the only Papanui riding representative on the council. He was joined at the last local body election by Cr G. L. Freeman.

“Bill Rice felt very strongly for the people of Papanui and wanted to provide them, and did, with good services,” Mrs Murray said. “He always watched the accounts and services to ensure they were good but at the same time never made a decision without first asking how much it

would cost the people of Papanui.” He realised that for many people rates were a burden and tried to keep them as reasonable as possible, she said.

Mr' Rice was born in Hessle, Hull, in England. He came with his wife and son to Christchurch in 1955. He served as a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II and before the war worked as a banker. Until his retirement seven years ago, Mr Rice worked in accounting and managerial capacities. For some years he was accountant at the Ovaltine factory on the Main North Road and later worked at the Plains Co-operative Dairy Company.

His business acumen was publicly recognised in 1974 when he was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for his contribution to New Zealand commerce. Mr Rice established and served on the Redwood Coordinating Committee. The committee began in 1967 as a means of getting a crosssection of opinions on what was wanted in the community. The secretary of the committee, Mr D. G. King, said Mr Rice was a most valuable resident in the Redwood area, and would be sorely missed.

Mr Rice also served on the vestry of St Silas’ Anglican Church in Redwood, was a member of the board of governors of Papanui High School, and an active

member of the Labour Party. Mr King said that in spite of Mr Rice’s party affiliations, he worked well with local members of other political parties. They might fight each other at elections but got on well on a day-to-day basis. “His abilities on the local scene crossed political boundaries,” Mr King said.

Another of Mr Rice’s lasting interests was the West Coast. His family spent a lot of holiday time at their old house in Kumara. Times on the Coast were spent walking, exploring the local history, and relaxing in the peace and quiet. Mr Rice is survived by his wife and son.