LYTTELTON TIMES, 27 JULY 1909: Mr William Benbow, one of the oldest residents of Waitohi. Temuka, died on Thursday. He was eighty-two years of age. He landed in Timaru in 1863 and soon afterwards took up land at Waitohi, where he resided till his death. He celebrated' his golden wedding in 1899. 

TEMUKA LEADER, 24 JULY 1909: Mr W. Benbow, an old and respected resident of Waitohi, passed away to his rest on Thursday morning last after a short illness at the ripe old age of 82. Mr Benbow was born in Shropshire, England, in 1827, and in 1849 he marred. In 1863, with his wife and family, he came to New Zealand, landing at Timaru. For eight months Mr Benbow worked lor the late Mr John Hayhurst on the Green Hayes estate, and he then took up some land at .Waitohi, and resided there until his death, increasing his holding from time to time, Ten years ago Mr and Mrs Benbow celebrated their golden wedding, when all their children and grand-children (with the exception of two of the latter), and some 70 guests, were present. The day was a doubly auspicious one, in as much as it was Mr Benbow’s 72nd birthday and the proceedings were of the happiest description. Six months later, however, Mr Benbow lost, his partner, who had then attained the ago of 71 years. Despite his great age, Mr Benbow retained good health, his only infirmity being a slight deafness, which followed an illness from which he suffered some five year's ago. At the end he suffered from no disease, death being due simply to the wearing out of his system. He leaves two sons (Messrs Jas. and Wm Benbowj)' and five daughters (Mesdamcs Guilford, B.Trumper, Mattingly, W. Cross, and D. Mcinnes), -and a largo number of grand-children. The late Mr Benbow was of a most kindly and genial disposition, and by his straightforwardness and integrity gained the esteem of a wide circle of friends. His funeral will take place to-morrow..

TIMARU HERALD, 26 JULY 1909: The hand of death has been busy during the past few days, and gathered to its fold a very old identity in the person of Mr William Benbow a farmer and resident of the Waitohi.He was born in Shropshire, had reached''the ripe old age of 82 years, and had spent 46 of them in the Dominion, having arrived in 1863. For a. time after arrival he was employed on the well known Hayes estate for the late Mr John. Shortly after lie acquired a holding on the Waitohi, which he had gradually increased and resided until his death. Of a kindly and gentle disposition, Mr Be»bow lived a life of strict integrity and straightfowardness. He was 'in fuull possession of all his factilties until the end when he passed quietly away on Thursday morning, leaving two sons and five daughters. and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. The funeral took place yesterday and were largelv attended. the services being taken by the Rev A J Adcock B.A. of St Peters, Temuka.

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