MR. C. W. POYNTER DEAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 244, 14 October 1937, Page 6

MR. C. W. POYNTER DEAD

SUDDEN COLLAPSE IN CAR FINE RECORD OF SERVICE BELOVED BY THE WHOLE CITY Mr C. W. Poynter, bookseller and stationer, of Wanganui, was found dead in his car in Ridgway Street at about 5.45 p.m. yesterday. The engine was running and he had apparently expired some two hours before as a result of heart failure. He left his shop in Victoria Avenue at a quarter io three, intending to motor to his home at Mary bank. His son (Mr E. H. Poynter) drove out there later and, discovering that his father had not arrived, immediately began a search. Some time later Mr Poynter was found as stated. He had apparently gone straight to his car, started the engine and then collapsed. Beloved throughout the city for his pleasing personality and fairmindedness, Mr Poynter will be greatly missed. He was born in Nelson 75 years ago. He worked as a boy in Mr Jesse Hounseil’s bookshop in that centre, there gaining his first insight to the bookselling business. His industrious nature soon won him promotion and he became Mr Hounseil’s assistant. Fifty-four years ago he came to Wanganui and entered the employ of the late Mr A. D. Willis. Later when Mr Willis was elected to Parliament to represent Wanganui, Air Poynter became the virtual manager of the bookselling business, his acumen as a businessman playing a big part in the development of Mr Willis’ business and later standing Mr Poynter in good stead when he commenced on his own account.

Belonging to that school which ever believes in assisting the community to the fullest extent, Mr Poynter never shirked his share of service in the public weal. For more than 20 years he was a member of the Borough and later the City Council, being in turn chairman of the tramways, gas and works committees. He was also deputyMayor for a period. For several years

x the city on the Wanganui Hospital Boaid and was occupying a position on that body at the time of his death. He intended to attend a meeting at the hospital to-day. For 22 years Mr Poynter rendered further unselfish sen ice as secretary to the Wanganui Orphanage, and latterly had been presiuent of the committee in charge or that institution. He was also a member of the Wanganui Rotary Club, a body which afforded scope to his kindly nature and desire to help others.

He leaves a widow and one son (Mr E. H. Poynter, of Durie Hill, who recently took over his father s business, but ror many yeais was accountant to Messis Levin anti Co., Wanganui). Towards the enu of March last an interviewer, in the atmosphere of Mr Poynter s bookshop, persuaded him to recall some of ms early-day experiences. That interviewer left with a pleasing recollection of a kindly man whose outlook on life had been made bright by a fund of good humour, a complacent ana even temperament. ov.gi.acss II:-? businessman was evident, but there was nothing ters experience or life had been won as a worker, and his memorising had that about it which suggested tranquility towards the end or life’s journey. The interviewer came away thinking of the peace of home tires miming and blowing smokes from friend to friend, in terms of the words of Kipling. To-day, seven months later, Mr Poynter has reached Lhe haven Robert Louis Stevenson visioned, the home “for the sailor from the sea and the hunter from the hill.” Air Poynter passed to that rest in the manner he often wished he would go, suddenly. He leaves behind him a record of kindly sei vice to his fellowmen.