Mr W. U. Timewell

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1938, Page 8

Mr W. U. Timewell

OBITUARY

The career of one of Whangarei’s most useful and highly-respected citizens was terminated this morning with the death-of Mr Wreford Upton Timewell.

The late Mr Timewell, who was 75 years of age, \yas born in Devonshire, England, a son of the late Mr and Mrs W. U. Timewell. He entered the butchery business at an early age, and the majority of his time was spent in the Smithfield Markets, London, as a buyer for one of the West End shops. Three Years in Canada. In order to gain additional experience, he went to Canada, where he spent throe years befor'e returning to England. In 1901 he came to New Zealand, and for 11 years was in charge of Messrs R. and W. Hellaby’s retail butchery trade in Auckland. Twenty-six years ago, 'Mr Timewell came to Whangarei and, with his brother-in-law, Mr M. G. King, purchased the business of Messrs Fraser, and Richardson, which, under the di-! rection of the partners, has been de-| veloped into one of Whangarei’s lead- 1 ing retail butchery establishments. Many Interests. While in Auckland, Mr Timewell was actively connected with the Masonic Lodge Albion 45, Devonport, of! which he was a Past Master. He had also been a Forester for the past 40' years, in which lodge he held every! eligible post, including that of District Officer.

Mr Timewell was one of the foun- ! dation members and a past president of the Whangarei Rotary Club, and has also been an active member and a past president of the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce. For some years he was a member of the Whangarei Borough Council and for a period was Acting-Mayor. The Whangarei A. and P. Society was one of Mr Timewell’s greatest sources of interest, and he ranked among this organisation’s most enthusiastic members, being president for a number of years. He was one of those behind the acquisition of the present Winter Show building in Walton Street. Until about two years iago, Mr Timewell was a member of the Whangarei Bowling Club. Keen Horticulturist. It was in horticulture, however, that Mr Timewell found his greatest pleasure, and his garden at his late residence in Otaika Road was for 'a long time one of the show places of Whangarei. The A. and P. Society owed much to his active interest in the horticultural section of its displays, and he was well-known as a judge at flower and vegetable shows throughout the Wh'angarei district. ' Public Life. In public life, despite his many associations, Mr Timewell largely played the role of a silent worker behind the scenes, and it would be difficult to imagine any project for the betterment of town and district with which he has not been actively connected.

He was particularly convinced of the importance of overhead highway bridges for the Various level crossings in the vicinity of Whangarej, and was an active worker to this end. Married 52 Years. Mr Timewell was married 52 years ago at Hatfield, Hertfordshire. His wife predeceased him several years. He is survived by a family of four daughters and three sons. These are: Mesdames G. Blandford (Devonport), R. Cunningham (Sydney), J. Johnson (Sumner, Christchurch), and R. Newton (Taumarunui) and Messrs Ralph Timewell (Auckland), and Roy and Eric Timewell (Whangarei), Mr A. Tirfiewell (Pap'atoetoe) is a brother, while other members, of the P family are in Australia, Canada and England.

The funeral / leaves the x’esidence, Otaika Road, at 3 p.m. on Monday for the Maunu Cemetery.