Obituary: Mr. Arthur Thomas Bell

Mr Arthur Thomas (Tom) Bell, a former Christchurch Coroner and chairman of the North Canterbury Catchment Board, died in Christchurch yesterday. He was 84.

Mr Bell had been ill for some time. However, he had maintained life-long interests in a number of community and sporting organisations. He was born in North Otago and educated at Waitaki Boys' High School and Canterbury University College.

 In 1916 he joined the Government Statistician's Department and then transferred to the Justice Department. He later qualified as a solicitor and in 1923 joined the firm of R. S. Twyneham

During the Depression years he was chairman of a Government committee on mortgage adjustments.

In 1937 he was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court. The next year he set up his own legal practice in which he was joined in 1946 by Mr E. B. E. Taylor, whom he succeeded as Coroner. The firm he began is now known as Hattaway, Quigley and MacLean.

During World War II Mr Bell was in the National Reserve. He spent a time in camp at Simmer.

In 1961 he was appointed Coroner in Christchurch, and held the post for nine years. He retired from legal practice In 1970.

For about 15 years Mr Bell served on the North Canterbury Catchment Board, being chairman from 1968 to 1971. As an active fisherman Mr Bell brought to the board a wealth of knowledge on Canterbury rivers.

His legal knowledge also helped the board at a time when much new legislation was introduced. His input in river control saw him also serve a term as vice-chairman of the New Zealand Catchment Authorities Association.

Mr Bell played golf and bowls for many decades. In the 1920s he served on the committee of the Harewood Golf Club and as president of the Elmwood Tennis Club.

A former chairman of the National Club, Mr Bell was also a divisional chairman of the National Party's Christchurch North electorate.

He is survived by his wife, and a son and a daughter.