GAVE FULL SERVICE TO MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 47, 25 February 1941, Page 4

GAVE FULL SERVICE TO MARTON

MR. F. C. WILSON. FORMER MAYOR AND CLERK 88TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED One of Marton’s oldest and highly esteemed residents, Mr. Frederick Charles Wilson, celebrated his 88th. birthday on Saturday last. Born at Bromley, Middlesex, in 1853, Mr. Wilson displayed great ability in an accountancy office at Worcester for a number of years, when he acquired a general knowledge of accountancy and organisation. Mr. Wilson was married in the Strand, London, 50 years ago and left for New Zealand in 1890, landing in Wellington in November of that year, arriving in Marton in 1891, where he secured a position as railway porter on the New Zealand Railways at Pukepapa Road Station. After a year’s service on the railways he was appointed town clerk for the Borough of Marton, a position which he held for six years, and was then appointed as public health officer for the Rangitikei, Kiwitea and Patea Counties. In 1918 Mr. Wilson was appointed coroner by Lord Jellicoe, and also as a J.P. After 20 years’ service as coroner. Mr. Wilson resigned. During the time he was in office he conducted 150 inquests. Mr. Wilson has a unique record as a returning officer. He was appointed in 1903, and resigned in 1938 after 35 years’ continuous service. At the time of his retirement he was considered to be one of the oldest returning officers in the world, having been connected with general elections at Home and in New Zealand for 70 years. The only election which he missed during that long period was when the late Hon. John Ballance was returned as member for Wanganui. Mr. Wilson also occupied the Mayoral chair of Marton for three years during the Great War, and took a keen interest in the patriotic activities that were held to acquire funds for men serving overseas and on their return to New Zealand. In 1938 Mr. Wilson was elected a life member of the Wanganui Justices of the Peace Association. Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Wilson (who is in her 79th. year) now live in retirement at their home, Pukepapa Road, Marton, having lived in the same home for 30 years.