Mr. HENRY LESLIE MICHEL - Mayor of Hokitika during the years 1896–7, and from 1897 to 1903.

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DescriptionMr. HENRY LESLIE MICHEL was Mayor of Hokitika during the years 1896–7, and from 1897 to 1903, and was also a member of the Borough Council from 1885 to the conclusion of his mayoralty in 1903.

His municipal policy was always of a progressive nature. He was chairman of the first Charitable Aid Board when the Act of 1885 was brought into force. Mr. Michel has been for many years associated with the Westland Education Board, Harbour Board, and High School Board, and as a Freemason he is Superintendent of the Westland and Nelson district under the New Zealand Constitution.

He has been captain of the Fire Brigade for about twenty-five years, and is a past president of the Fire Brigade Association of New Zealand. Mr. Michel was born in Newcastle. New South Wales, in 1858, and when a youth landed at Hokitika, where he has followed commercial pursuits. Since the age of fourteen he has been in the firm of which he is now proprietor. Mr. Michel has always willingly helped the promotion of useful local objects, and is president of numerous clubs and societies. In the year 1887, he received a numerously-signed requisition to tand for Parliament, but declined to accede to the request.

THE CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND [NELSON, MARLBOROUGH & WESTLAND PROVINCIAL DISTRICTS]
MR. H. L. MICHELDate of Photo1896 - 1903Map^[1]External LinkTHE CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW ZEALAND

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Location (city or town)HokitikaPersonHENRY LESLIE MICHELOrganisation (eg business)Mayor of HokitikaEventMr. HENRY LESLIE MICHEL - Mayor of Hokitika during the years 1896–7, and from 1897 to 1903.

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Date Created8th February 2023CommentsLiz Hay
In the 1950s, my father was the accountant for Paterson & Michel, a wholesale and retail grocery firm in Hokitika. There were no Michels, or Patersons, involved with the firm by then. Instead Dad worked for Arthur Hill, who put the business into liquidation in the early 60s. With its demise, went the coveted import licenses which meant the firm had been able to import specialist foodstuffs at a time when it was very difficult to do so post war.

Glenn Johnston
Liz Hay I think Bill Gutberlet was also an accountant there. Perhaps he worked for your father or came along a bit later? I've met two of Arthur Hill's children. I can remember Jessie Michel who married in to the Michel's. I think Paterson, Michel & Co had "liquor" licenses to import and wholesale alcoholic beverages which were a hangover from the gold rush days and were also able to import coffee. A history of this firm would make interesting reading but as far as I know one has never been written.

Liz Hay
Glenn Johnston yes, it would be an interesting story. I remember the name Bill Gutberlet, but don't know the connection to the firm. I do remember P & M imported tinned salmon (the only kind of salmon available then) from Norway. In 1973 my parents visited the Norway factory where the salmon came from, and were well received.
P & M had a branch in Harihari which Dad had to visit each month to check the books. There was one customer who always paid his account in gold dust, which was legal tender of course.

Glenn Johnston
Liz Hay They also owned the Stafford Street retail grocery store in Hokitika at one stage. No accounts allowed at that one as it was run as a cash store.

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Mr. HENRY LESLIE MICHEL - Mayor of Hokitika during the years 1896–7, and from 1897 to 1903.

Editing is temporarily disabled