Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 47, 26 February 1936, Page 3

Obituary

MR CHARLES SELBY, OF FEILDING. The death occurred at his residence North road, Feilding, on Sunday, of Mr Charles Selby, a settler of the district for some forty years. The late Mr Selby was born in 1844, being the eldest son of tho late John Allan Selby, of “Greatness,” Seven Oaks, Kent, England. As a youth of 19 years he went out to India as a cadet on a largo indigo plantation whero he remained for 30 years, during which time he became a partner in tho company controlling the piopeity and later its manager. In 1867 he married Minna Savi and owing to the ill-health of Mrs Selby, ho decided m 1892 to come out to New Zealand taking up land in the Harbour Board block at Pohangina, where he resided with his family for 18 years. Selling his property in 1910 he retired and came to reside in Feilding. During hi s long residence in the Pohangina, the late Mr Selby took an active part in local and district affairs, serving on several local bodies and was at one time secretary and treasurer of the Pohangina Farm Association. He was a member of the Pohangina County Council representing the Mangaone riding. A keen sportsman, tho late Mr Selby was for may years a prominent member of the Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club, serving as president for a term and in recognition of his support of that institution was later elected a life member.

During his retirement in Feilding, Mr Selby followed with a quiet and unassuming interest the affairs and progress of the town and until a few years ago. was a familiar figuro about the town each Friday. The ago of motordom came without disturbing his normal ways and he held to his dogcart and horse transport for his weekly sojourns to the town of his adoption and retirement. A likeable gentleman with a store of anecdote the late Mr Selby was highly respected throughout the countryside and his passing will be responsible for much sympathy to his wife and family.

With Mrs Selby there aro left to mourn the passing of a staunch pioneer one son, Mr Fred Selby, of Dannevirke, and two daughters, Mrs W. M. Stack, and Miss Selby, both of whom reside in Feilding, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Mr Arthur Selby, of Howick, Aucklad, is a younger brother of the late Mr Selby.