OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR; FREDERICK HAYBITTLE

Advice has" been received in Wellington' by Mr. Arthur Jacobs, of George Thomas and Co., Ltd., of the death in London of Mr. Frederick Haybittle, who was formerly one of Wellington's best-known citizens.

The late Mr. Haybittle was a son of Mr. Riphard Haybittle, a pioneer resident of Wellington. He joined the fruit and produce business controlled by' Captain George Thomas, in 1872, the business then being situated in Panama Street. He became one of the auctioneers, and on the death of Captain Thomas, in 1890, he became a partner in the firm, with Mr. E. B. Bristow, of Karori. In March, 1914, the late Mr. Haybittle, who was then in England, joined'the Imperial Forces, and served through the war as an ambulance driver.

As a young man, the late Mr. Haybittle, who was a sound elocutionist, was an active participant in many amateur performances, and became known as one of the foremost recitors in New Zealand. He was a member of the Commercial Travellers'. Club, and the Central Club, and for many years was a member of the Wellington Bowling Club, of which he was a past president. In 1935 his connection with the firm of George Thomas and Co., Ltd., ceased altogether/ He leaves two daughters, Mrs. Irene Kidston, London, and Miss Nola Haybittle, of South Africa.