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1955 Marmaduke Bethell

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DescriptionMarmaduke Bethell (1897-98) of Pahua Pastures, Culverden, one of the best known and esteemed farmers of the Amuri district of North Canterbury, died on February 23rd, 1955.

Mr Bethell was born at Nelson on November 18, 1876, and was the only son of Richard and Isabel Bethell. Richard Bethell was then the owner of a property which he called Burnham, after his birthplace, Burnham Beeches, in Surrey, and this is how Burnham in Canterbury derives its name.

Mr Bethell was educated at Mr. Baker's school at French Farm and later at Wanganui Collegiate School, where he played Rugby for four years in the school First XV. He attended Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, where he was secretary of the Magazine Committee, before taking up farming at Pahau Pastures in 1899.

At that time the Culverden plains were relatively bare. Most of the large trees now growing round the homestead and many pine shelter belts on Pahau Pastures were planted by Mr Bethell. He took an interest in local affairs, increasingly so after his marriage, with the help of his wife, Thyra, eldest daughter of Hugh Beetham, of Brancepeth, Masterton, whom he married in 1904.

Mr Bethell was well known for his generosity, kindness and sense of duty, these qualities being exemplified in particular by his work on community matters and his love of animals. He was first elected to the Amuri County Council in November, 1914. He became chairman on the death of Mr D. Rutherford in July, 1917, and continued as chairman until 1935, remaining on the council until 1944. He was a member of the first Transport Licensing Authority established in Canterbury and a member of the Hurunui Licensing Committee from 1926 to 1955, when he did not seek re-election. He represented the Culverden parish on numerous occasions as a synodsman and was a churchwarden for the Amuri Parochial District for 50 years from its formation in 1901. He took a leading part in patriotic work, being a member of the Provincial Patriotic Committee.

One of Mr Bethall's greatest interests was hunting, He was master of the Brackenfield Hunt from 1913 to 1925, hunting hounds himself in the 1913 and 1914 seasons. He also used to drive a four-in-hand. In order to hunt at Rangiora Mr Bethell used to ride to the Culverden railway station, catch the train to Rangiora, where he would spend the day hunting, and return to Culverden by the evening train. He owned a famous old hunter called Spiteful, which is still remembered in hunting circles and which bred a number of good point-to-point horses. In 1930 he became interested in harness horses and was an active competitor in shows until 1950. Many Amuri residents will recall his Abbot buggy, drawn by his horse Barriey. He was also keenly interested in horse racing and was a steward of the Canterbury Jockey Club from 1924 to 1952.

Mr Bethell's farming ability was well known and Pahau Pastures has long been renowned for the high quality of its wool and fat stock. His death is a sad loss to the community and his public-spirited services in the Amuri district will be missed.

He is survived by Mrs Bethell and two sons, Richard (Pahau Pastures) and Christopher (Timpendean).
PersonM. BethellOrganisationCanterbury Agricultural CollegeDate1955KeywordsPahua PasturesobituaryWanganui Collegiate SchoolMr Baker's SchoolVersionScanned imageItem Reference0004130Filename1955 Marmaduke Bethell

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1955 Marmaduke Bethell