MICHEL, HENRY LESLIE (1855-1930) was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, and came to New Zealand with his parents. Educated at Scott's Academy in Hokitika, he entered the office of Paterson and Co., in which he afterwards became a partner, and eventually managing director. He was a member of the borough council for 25 years from 1885, and mayor of Hokitika for 16 years, beginning in 1886. He was also chairman of the Westland education board, the Hokitika harbour board and the High School board, and a member of the school committee, the hospital and charitable aid board and the Greymouth harbour board; chairman of the school commissioners; president of the hospital committee; a trustee of the Hokitika Savings Bank; captain of the fire brigade and president of the fire brigades association of New Zealand. In politics Michel was a Liberal, and he contested parliamentary seats on various occasions (his opponents including A. R. Guinness and T.E. Y. Seddon). In 1918 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till his death on 4 Mar 1930. Michel was a director of the Westland Timber Trading Co. and of the Ross Goldmining and Rimu goldfields companies, and invested a good deal in a local shipping company. As an Anglican, he held the offices of bishop's warden and superintendent of the Sunday school. As a freemason he was superintendent of Nelson and Westland and Dominion grand master, N.Z. constitution (1924).

N.Z.P.D., 1918-30; Cycl. N.Z., v (p); Grey River Argus, 5 Mar 1930. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 44

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