LATE MR W. D. REYELL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18833, 23 March 1931, Page 8

LATE MR W. D. REYELL

DEATH AFTER ACCIDENT. LONG SERVICE TO COMMUNITY. When Mr William Thomas Denis Revell passed away on Friday night, as as a result of injuries received througn being struck by a passing motor car, at the intersection of Stafford Street South and North Street, Timaru, South Canterbury lost a citizen, whose publicspiritedness and civic value left an indelible mark on the community. During a long residence of this town, he held prominent places in commercial and industrial spheres and had played an important part in the progress that has made Timaru recognised amongst the leading towns of New Zealand. On Monday morning last the late Mr Revell was in the act of crossing the street at the intersection, having just left his own car, when a car which he had not noticed drove up to him. In an endeavour to avoid the vehicle, deceased slipped, and before the driver could halt the car, a front wheel passed over the late Mr Revell’s right leg, causing severe injuries. An arm and his head were injured also. The sufferer was removed to a private hospital. The late Mr Revell appeared to make satisfactory progress, but sinking slowly on Friday night, he passed away. Conscious when he was removed from under the car, it is said that deceased told those in the vicinity that the affair had been a pure accident. The late Mr Revell, who was the only son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Revell. spent his early years on the West Coast and in Central Otago, where Mr Revell, senr., was a Stipendiary Magistrate. He was born at Lawrence in 1878, and received his early education at school in that town. Coming to Timaru at the age of fourteen, he completed his education at the Timaru Boys’ High School, after which he joined the staff of the Bank of New South Wales. He remained with the Bank in Timaru for a few years, and was then transferred to Wellington and Nelson, where he studied accountancy, and was successful in passing his examinations. Returning to Timaru in 1906, as a qualified accountant, the late Mr Revell entered into partnership with the late Mr F. A. Raymond. At the expiry of the partnership in 1912, deceased commenced business on his own account, his outstanding ability being the means of firmly establishing him. in the confidence of business people. Throughout hsi career the late Mr Revell was regarded by the many who knew him, as a very unselfish man. The motto oE Rotary, of which he was a keen follower, “Service Before Self,” was never better practised than by deceased. If any struggling Association desired professional assistance free, Mr Revell was the man to go to, and he would do it willingly and well His secretaryships included the South Canterbury Patriotic and War Relief Society. South Canterbury Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, South Canterbury Motor Garage Proprietors’ Association, South Canterbury Masters Printers’ Association, and the Central Club, while he was auditor also for many private and public companies in South Canterbury.

The late Mr Revell came to earn the esteem not only of the business people but of the citizens in general While he was held in the highest regard in his profession, as a citizen he set an example which many could emulate with profit. In matters affecting the welfare of Timaru, Mr Revell took a keen and intelligent interest, and it was characteristic of him that he regarded the smallest details of supreme importance. For many years he was connected with the Caroline Bay Association, he being the immediate pastpresident. He was a member of the Council of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and vice-chair-man of the C.F.C.A. Mr Revell’s interest in education was evinced by hi 3 enthusiasm during the years he was a member of the Timaru High School Board of Governors. In the Timaru Rotary Club he was a foundation memmember, while he was also the initial local secretary. Keen interest was displayed by Mr Revell in the Timaru High School Old Boys’ Association, he having held office for some time. As an accountant Mr Revell was looked up to not only in Timaru but throughout New Zealand. Only a few weeks ago l>e relinquished office as president. of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, while for many years he was a Councillor representing the local Society. Any advice or assistance young students in accountancy received from Mr Revell was well worth having. He was responsible for setting many young men, some of whom are now holding responsible positions on the path to success, through his interest in the accountancy classes at the Timaru Technical College, and the study circle which was operated by the local branch of the Society of Accountants. Frequently seen on the Timaru Tennis Club’s courts and on the Timaru Golf Club’s links at Highfield, Mr Revell had no peer as a sport. He was a member of the Timaru Tennis Club many years ago when the courts were in LeCren’s Terrace, and since then held office in the Club, for seven years being president. His name was on the membership roll of the Golf Club before it had been in existence for very many years, and he was secretary for many years. When the Timaru Foocball Club was formed, in 1899, the late Mr Revell was appointed secretary, holding this position until the Club merged and was known under another name. Deceased played a prominent part in the affairs of St. Mary’s Church. He was Vicar’s warden at the time of his death while for a number of years he was a member of the Vestry. Recently he was appointed to the Committee of the Craighead Diocesan School. St. Mary’s Boy Scouts received his support also. In 1914, the late Mr Revell married Miss Helen Malfroy, of Hokitika and he is survived by his wife, and by three sisters—Mrs W. W. Hall of Rotorua, Mrs J. C. Huddleston, of Timaru, and Miss E. S Revell, of Timaru. Several business houses in Timaru on Saturday flew their flags at half-mast yesterday as a mark of respect to the deceased. With many of these houses the late Mr Revell was associated professionally. As a token of sympathy, play at the Timaru Tennis courts in the afternoon was postponed, and the band concert on the Bay yesterday was abandoned. Service at St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s Church was packed for a special service yesterday afternoon, which was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan, assisted by the Revs. F. C. Lawrence, W. S. Southward and T. Williams. Mr A. W. V. Vine presided at the organ, and special music was played. In addition to the 23rd Psalm, the hymn “Lead Kindly Light” was sung. Archdeacon Monaghan took as his text, John 4th, verse 7, “Everyone that loveth, is born of God and knoweth God.”

“This large gathering, representative of so many different associations in the business, social, and religious life of our town, is in itself a great tribute to that name and life of him we mourn,” the preacher said. “The William Revell whom some of us knew best was the man of business, so competent, so honourable and so trustworthy, whose life gave the lie to the charge that modern

business is incompatible with high ideals of life. You, his business associates, remember with pride that when quite recently he addressed from the president’s chair the New Zealand Society of Accountants, he achieved the highest honour of his profession. He came and told me about that presidential address, and being a humble man, he was very appreciative of that honour.”

The Archdeacon went on to say that others knew the late Mr Revell best as a citizen who threw himself heart and soul into many activities which he considered were for the welfare of this town. As president of the Caroline Bay Association, as a Rotarian, as a member of various boards, committees, and clubs, he placed his gifts, his time, so generously and so gladly at the disposal of his fellows, and. despising the limelight, bore the burden of the work. “One who has served by his side for several years said to me yesterday,” continued Archdeacon Monaghan.

“ ‘that only those who have worked beside him know the man he was.’ There are others in this congregation whose privilege it was to call him friend. Although I have not known him as long as you, yet in three short years I, too. have learnt to love the man; for his kindliness, his cheerfulness, his gentleness, the natural impulse of his heart, which made his first thought to save other people trouble; and withal his steadfast loyalty; all this was so natural in him, so simple, so Christlike. “What is the measure of a man?” asked the speaker. “Is it the wealth he accumulates, his intellectual gifts, his power to dominate his fellows, or is it the measure of his love? ‘Everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God,’ for God is love, and there is nothing greater than God. Measured by this standard, William Revell was great indeed. Here in this parish church he was a familiar figure, and nowhere will he be more missed. For two years as warden, he has filled the highest office a layman can hold, and during those years he has not only with great devotion and ability fulfilled the duties of his office, but he has made himself also a friend to all the plubs and organisations of the parish.” The Archdeacon said that most men. especially men of the British race, were shy of making much demonstration of their religious feelings. As his parish priest he knew how deep were Mr Revell’s devotions to their Lord, and to his Church. Regular in all his religious duties, the late Mr Revell found at the altar the inspiration and the power which made him the man they all admired and loved. “And death ends all. The pity of it, says tile materialist. “Death ends nothing,” said the preacher. “Death cannot even end the material body which he leaves behind. It can only change it back to earth from which it came. The soul of the man it cannot touch; the soul goes marching on. Death cannot even destroy the work he was doing here in Timaru, for I cannot believe that amongst those who mourn his death to-day, there will not be men quickened by his example, to emulate his life of love and service to his fellow men, and his devotion to his Lord and his Church.”

The Archdeacon went on to say that death was inseparable from sorrow, and in this case he knew full well how deep and grievous was this sorrow. If human sympathy could share the load, then indeed it would be lightened for his own folk. The Funeral. The universal respect and esteem in which the late Mr Revell was held was manifest by the representative nature of the funeral, which left St. Mary’s Church shortly after 3 o'clock for the Timaru Cemetery. The bearers were Messrs S. D. Mason. J. L. Ferrier, F. Robertson, H. T. Thompson, F. G. Raymond and J. Templer (Waimate). Following the mourners came the senior pupils of the Boys’ High School in school uniform, who preceded a cortege of nearly 200 cars.

The route to the cemetery, via King Street, was lined with townspeople, who stood in silence as the procession passed slowly by. The service at the graveside was conducted by Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan. Business interests and organisations with which the late Mr Revell was associated, were represented by the following:— Messrs W. E. Best, of Christchurch (past president of the New Zealand Society of. Accountants), W. A. Smith, of Christchurch (vice-president of the Society of Accountants), J. Manson Stewart (Christchurch Rotary Club), P. B. Foote (president of the South Canterbury Branch of the Society of Accountants, and president of the ’ South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce), Leonard Hewitt (Christchurch Stock Exchange), J. Bitchener, M.P., and A. C. Martin (Timaru High Schools Board), A. S. Elworthy (S.P.C.A.), C. W. Wood (New Zealand Motor Traders’ Association), E. D. Hunter (president, Timaru Garage Proprietors’ Association), A. E. Wotherspoon ana J. P. Lamb (Caroline Bay Association), G. S. Cray (president, South Canterbury Patriotic and War Relief Society), E Darroch (president, South Canterbury Master Printers’ Association), F. R. Flatman and A. M. H. Shirtcliff (Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association), F. J. Carter (president, Timaru Licensed Victuallers’ Association), J. Solfe (Waimate Licensed Victuallers), A. P. Greenfield (president Central Club), W. H. Walton and W. J. Cotterill (Timaru Golf Club), B. L. Blodom and G. D. Virtue (Timaru Rotary ( Club), F. Oxford and R. A. Holdgate (Timaru Tennis Club), C. S. Hammond and F. J. Cook (South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association), W. T. Ritchie and C. G. Bryan King (Craighead Diocesan School Committee). There were also present: The Mayor of Timaru (Mr W. Angland)) and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite), the Mayor of Geraldine (Mr J. Kennedy), the Mayor of Waimate (Mr G. Dash), and Messrs T. B. Garrick, J. Meehan, Gladstone Robinson, F. J. Rolleston, C. J. Talbot, R. W. Simpson, R. Brodie, W. S. Young, J. G. Gow, J. E. S. Jackson, C. H. Gresson, B. E. H. Tripp, E. Zeisler, E. G. Kerr, R. B. Bell, C. E. Kerr, D. C. Turnbull, T. R. Mackay, G. Bowker, J. Moyes, D. McLennan, C. E. Torlesse, W. W. Baxter, Walter Raymond, O. Hutchison, O. A. Bridges, G. A. Hart, G. T. Wardell, A. J. Bridgewater, R. Orwin, A. L. Gee, G. W. Morrison, J. Hole, A. J. Allport, H. A. Innes-Jones, W. D. Campbell, J. Hutchison, G. M. B. Morrison, B. Whitcombe, A. H. Clemens, A. McLean, W. Gibb, W. Fraser, P. Elworthy. H. Elworthy, W. H. Orbell, R. L. Orbell, N. M. Orbell, F. S. Shell, G. H. R. Ulrich, Timaru Rhodes, R. A. Malcolm, G. M. Andrews, J. Bryce, G. G. Lewis, A. E. Lewis, J. Stevens, H. H. Fraser, C. E. Hassall, W. H. Walton senr., M. Harper, J. W. Adams, G. P. Wood, E. Howden, T. Knowles, R. J. Rundman, A. N. Oakey,, J. Hinchey, F. E. Duncan, R. L. Wigley, H. Coxhead, L. S. Abernethy, A. Harvey, G. T. Wardell, R. McKnight, J. Grover, F. M. Drewitt, P. F. McDougall, A. Sunley, W. A. Scott, A. Lawson, M. Little, W. Harte, R. Baird, A. Dunnett, L. Edyvean, C. W. Wood junr., J. P.' Newman. M. Raymond, A .C. Fahey, S. Mackenzie, A. Hope, F. C. May, E. Berry, F. L. N. Tuck, J. Temple, C. E. Shallcrass, G. Webster, C. R. Ingram, J. Sheehan, J. Caithness, C. G. Baker, J. M. Jenkins, J .L. Warrington, J. Wilson, A. E. Horwell, N. Gabites, S. G. McLelland, W. Moody, M. O’M.eeghan, S. Andrews, T. W. Lynch, W. G. Irwin, L. M. Inglis, M. J. Knubley, A. Cunningham, W. J.

Dickson, A. L. Lamb, E. Earwaker, J. W. Souter, F. Davey, F. I. Washboum, L. E. Finch, R. L. Banks, J. Richards, G. Cuthbertson (Oamaru), J. D. Fraser, J. Waddell, J. P. Steven, F. Harold, G. Johnson, W. J. Beswick, C. Noble, F. Metson, J. Toneycliffe, H. J. Mathers, W. G. Hawkey, G. F. Smythe, J. Palliser, E. A. Scott, W. Roberts, F. J. LeCren, E. J. LeCren, G. Knowles, F. F. Neale, H. R. Harris, L. Wood, W. Coombs, W. Hutchison, P. W. Rule, A. Austin, M. Guild, A. Jones, W. Allport, J. R. Home. T. H. Williams (Christchurch), J. 8. Turnbull, B. H. Low, W. L Tait, J. W. Preen, F. H. Barker, C. H. Tripp, H. Hay, J. Holdgate, R. Holdgate, C. Thomson, R. Priest, W. J. Priest, J. F. K. Jamieson, J. McPherson, F. Harold, F. Stark, L. G. Cameron and Doctors G. H. Ussher, C. S. Fraser. L. S. Talbot, C. A. Paterson, F. F. A. Ulrich, Messrs Edgar Jones, D. S. Kerushed, Acting-Principal, and members of the staff of the Timaru Boys’ High School, and many others.