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BENEFIELD, William: NINTEY YEARS OLD [1942]

NINETY YEARS OLD
MR W T BENEFIELD'S CAREER

LONG RESIDENCE IN WANGANUI

Mr W T Benefield, who has spent 68 years in Wanganui, celebrated his ninetieth birthday today.
Mr Benefield was born in Canterbury, Kent. At an early age he was engaged in nursery work in Dartford. He came to Wellington in the sailing ship Waikato with his wife and one son, aged 18 months.
One of the first jobs Mr Benefield undertook after arriving at Wanganui was to plant trees on what was known as Church Acre in the Avenue, now the site of the Selwyn Buildings.
He undertook labouring work until 1876, when he established the Aramoho Nursery, which is still conducted under the name of Benefield and Sons.
Mr Benefield was a member of the Aramoho School Committee for 20 years and chairman for 15 years. He laid out Moutoa Gardens, then known as Market Square. He was a member of the Pururu Road Board, which had an area from Wanganui East to Kauangaroa. When Wanganui East decided to form a borough council Mr Benefield was elected to the head of the poll as one of its first councillors.
He was one of the foundation members of the Wanganui Beautifying Society, and a foundation member of the Wanganui Meat Freezing Co. For upward of 40 years Mr Benefield was a member of the Wanganui Bowling Club.
Six of Mr Benefield's family are still living, the oldest son, Mr W A Benefield, Aramoho, being 70 years of age. Mr Benefield has 39 grand children, 60 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren. Seven grandsons are serving with the forces overseas and on great grandson. Three grand sons are in the armed forces in New Zealand.

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