FALL DOWN LIFT WELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22318, 16 January 1936, Page 11

FALL DOWN LIFT WELL

CIVIL SERVANT'S DEATH BODY FOUND BY TENANT [uv TKLKGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTOX, Wednesday Aftor being missed since the lunch hour on Tuesday, Mr. Robert Witheford, superintendent of the National Provident Fund and registrar of friendly societies, was found dead to-night at the bottom of the lift well in the Dominion Farmers' Institute Building, on the second floor of which his oflice is situated. It is assumed that he accidentally fell down the shaft from the upper floor about the time he was missed. Mr. Witheford was last seen near Lambton Quay between 1.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday. At the request of the police 2YA today broadcast an announcement that he was missing. At about a quarter to sevfln to-night Mr. F. C. Jack, company secretary, a tenant of the Dominion Farmers' Institute, found the body at the bottom of the' passenger lift well. The police, who were informed, had the power to the lift switched oft and removed the body. Mr. "Witheford, who was aged 59, leaves a widow and one son. He was born in Auckland and educated at Queen's College. After four years in the employ of the Bank of New Zealand as a ledger-keeper, he joined the Treasury Department in 1901. He opened the first district Treasury office in Auckland in 1920. In 1926 he was transferred to the. department ju which he held his last position. He served in both the South African War and the Great War.