MAYOR OF TIMARU.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 74, 24 February 1938, Page 13

MAYOR OF TIMARU.

LATE MR VINNELL. 1 Per Press Association. TIDIARU. Feb. 23. The death of the Dlayor (Dir P. C. Vinnell) occurred with startling suddenness. He had been in good health and carried on his activities as Dlayor with unwonted zeal. Yesterday afternoon he said he had not been feeling well, having slight pains in the chest and back, and spoke of consulting a doctor. However, he did not regard it as anything serious. Last night he attended a meeting in the Council Chambers.

Dir Vinnell was born at Oxford (England) in 1879, and was educated at St. Paul’s School in that town. Before coming to New Zealand in 1913, he served for a term on the Street District Council, Somerset. He spent two years in AVellington and then came to Timaru. where he set up in business as a boot manufacturer and Carrie this on till his death, the establishment attaining considerable proportions. He was first elected to the Timaru Borough Council in 1919 and served under three Dlayors. He succeeded the late Dir T. AA r . S.atterthwaite as Dlayor in ‘June, 193(5. It is a sad coincidence that his predecessor died under almost similar circumstances as D:lr Vinnell. Dir Vinnell had twice contested the Timaru seat in the interests of Labour, but was unsuccessful, although ou one occasion he came within a measurable distance of winning. He enjoved wide popularity, and was universally trusted by all classes of the community.