OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 11

OBITUARY.

SIR FREDERIC MAIN WARING. The death incurred at Ashburton on Wednesday of Mr Frederic Mainwaring, clerk of the Ashburton County Council since its constitution in 1878. in his seventy-ninth year. Mr Mainwaring was born in 1844, the fourth son of Rear-Admiral Roland Main-war-ing. of Whitmore Hall, Staffordshire. His mother was a daughter of Colonel Chevillard. Ho was educated at Rugby School under Dr Temple, and came to New Zealand m 1864. at the age or twenty-one years. He followed pastoral pursuits with his brothers for some years on Manapouri Otago, and later was a cadet on tf»«* station of the late Hon W. C. Walker in the Ashburton Gorge. Tn me ’seventies he was for six years seer*, tary of tho Canterbury Education Board, during the chairmanship of the late Mr TV. Montgomery•

On the constitution of the Ashburton County Council early in 1878, 5L Mninwaring was appointed clerk, un a held that position without intermission until his death. At the last meeting of th© council a fortnight ago, lie was granted a year’s leave o. absence on full pay on account of lus failing health. This was the first annual holiday he had accepted during his forty-four years’ service. At various times since) arriving in Ashburton. Mr Mainwnring held secretarial appointments. He was clerk to the Ashburton Hospital .Board and the Ashburton Licensing Committee for a number of years, and also secretary of the Ashburton Coursing Club. He always took a keen interest in sports and games, and for many years was an active cricketer.

Mr Mainwaring married 5.1 iss Adelaide Blundell in 1875. The only surviving child of the marriage is Mrs B. R. Macdonald, of Waitui, Geraldine. I

As n public servant, Mr, Mainwaring was very highly esteemed by bis employers, the County Council, and by the ratepayers in all parts of the county. His duties necessarily brought him into touch with all classes of men throughout the district, but be showed the same fine old-fashioned courtesy and readiness to serve to all and was never at a loss where any point of local government was concerned. His relations Viit-h tne clerks of the nine county road boards, with irliom Ilf- Lad constant dcnlinjp. were of the happiest, and his own stafi held him in affection as well as respect.

In co-operating with the departments controlled by the engineer (Mr C Morrison). 5Tr Mainwaring always worked in amity to forward the best interests of the county. As actingsecretary of the Ashburton Electric Power Board in the formative stage, he rendered valuable and cheerful service. His integrity and courtesy wib remain a lasting example in the records of public service.