OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 8

OBITUARY

Mr George Howell The death occurred yesterday of Mr George Howell, the oldest resident of Riverton, in his 98th year. He was the eldest son of Captain John Howell, who arrived in Riverton in 1833 to establish a whaling station, in which enterprise he was successful. The late Mr George Howell was born in unusual circumstances, his mother being conveyed at the time of his birth from Centre Island to Riverton in a whaling boat. When nearing Rabbit Island a large whaie was sighted. The health of the mother was apparently only a secondary consideration, as some time was spent by the crew in the capture of the whale, during which the first son of the founder of the district was born. At the age of 12 years Mr Howell travelled with his father to Sydney, where he was educated at a private school. A few years later he returned to New Zealand, where he worked on his father’s estate at Fairlight. Later he took up land at Te Arriers, Thombury, obtained an accommodation work licence and went in for general contracting. When the Riverton school, of which he was the oldest pupil, observed its jubilee some years ago, Mr Howell remarked that when he was there, they

had none of the fine brick and concrete buildings or the asphalt paths of the present school, but the small schoolroom was always clean and dry, which was the most impoi*tant thing. No slates or copy-books could be obtained, a piece of chalf and a blackboard being the only materials available. Over 50 years ago a Maori school was opened and Mr Howell was one of its trustees until it was closed. He also contributed many interesting articles on Maori life about Riverton. Good Health Enjoyed Few men can equal the record of Mr Howell as, when he celebrated his 93rd birthday, he had never spent a day in bed with a serious illness. For 40 years Mr Howell was a Justice of the Peace. His eyesight was excellent, and for an hour or so daily he read a book, preferably a work of travel or adventure. The books of the Riverton library were almost exhausted by the time he was 98. Talking over old times with a friend was a favourite diversion. His life was largely governed by routine, which was, perhaps, one reason for his longevity. He retired at eight o’clock in the evening, rose at half-past seven in the morning and had breakfast, which was followed by a little exercise, perhaps some wood-cutting or a walk. The reasons Mr Howell gave for his good health were plain living, temperate habits and plenty of hard work. He never took more than ordinary precautions against chills and colds. Mr Howell could still eat three meals a day, but he seldom took morning or afternoon tea. He was an abstainer from alcohol and did not smoke in his later years. The late Mr Howell is survived by a family of two sons and one daughter.