OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18510, 22 March 1922, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR W. R. RIDDELL, INVERCARGILL. (Fbom Otte Own Coebespondent.) INVERCARGILL, March 21. A highly-respected resident of Invercargill, Mr W. R. Riddell, died this morning at the age of 70 years. The deceased all the time he had been in the town had taken a deep interest in its welfare, and was one of the most useful citizens Invercargill possessed. Mr Riddell had been associated with various activities, in all of which he had shown a zeal and energy that largely assisted the advancement of the objects in view. He was born at Inch, Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1852, and was aducated at retternear School. Ho afterwards learned the joiner’s trade, at which he subsequently worked in Edinburgh and London. In the latter city ho was builder’s foreman for 10 years. In 1882 Mr Riddell sailed from London by the ship Victory for Invercargill, via Port Chalmers, where he worked at his trade for some years, and in 1889 was appointed manager of Messrs Waiter Guthrie and Co.’s furniture factory, whicn was purchased from the liquidators by the firm of Messrs William Smith and Co. After a time he entered into partnership with the firm, and was actively connected with the business until the time of his death. , A number of years ago Mr Riddell served on the North Invercargill Borougn Council, and was Mayor of the borough, while ho also interested liimself in the affairs of the Southland Hospital Trust, having been a member for several terms, and also chairman. He was a prominent member of the Southland League, and chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee, also the Natural Resources, Publicity, and Immigration Committee. Ho was a valued member of the Employers’ Association and chairman for some years, and took a no loss conspicuous part in the affairs of the Technical College Board, of which ho had been a member. lie was also a member of the local Repatriation Committee since its inception. Mr Riddell leaves a widow and two of a family—a ion and -daughter.