July 1921: The many friends of Mr W C Benbow will be sorry to hear that he is seriously ill, and is now an inmate of Timaru Hospital. His health has been failing for some time , and as he now requires constant attention he has been taken to the institution mentioned. His condition is such as to cause his relatives serious anxiety.

DEATH. WILLIAM C BENBOW: It is with regret that we record the death of Mr William Charles Benbow aged 57 years which occurred at the Timaru Hospital on August 11th, 1921, Thursday last.. The late Mr Benbow was the son of old pioneers, the late Mr and Mrs William Benbow, and was born at Georgetown, Temuka, in 1864. He was educated at the Temuka Public School, and on leaving, took to a farm life going to work at first for the late Mr S McCullough, Waitohi. Then he went to the Geraldine district, and worked for a time in a sawmill at Raukapuka.

For some years |he followed the calling of an engine driver on various mills and in 1904 started on his own account with a threshing and sawmilling plant. This business he carried on until the end of his life, having a large connection. He was always fond of music, and was a member of the old Volunteer Drum and Fife Band. In 1911 he joined the Municipal Brass Band, and was one of its staunchest members. For years he acted as its secretary, and it was only at the last annual meeting of the Band a couple of mouths ago that he relinquished the latter position, as he had been ordered a lengthy holiday by his medical adviser.

From that date his health grew steadily worse, for he was suffering from a complication of comlaints. A few days ago he was taken to the Timaru Hospital, and there he passed away on Thursday last. The late Mr Benbow was a man of integrity, a good neighbour and friend, and earned the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He leaves a widow and three sons Messrs William, Reginald, and Herbert to mourn their loss. The funeral will take place to-morrow.

TIMARU HERALD, 16 AUGUST 1921; The funeral took place on Sunday to Temuka Cemetery, and was largely attended. The combined Salvation Army raid Temuka Brass Bands under Conductor Dephoff preceded the cortoge. The officers of the Salvation Army conducted the. service. A large number of floral tributes were placed about the grave

MRS BENBOW: Death is no respecter of persons and when ones time has come whoever it may be must bow to the decision of the Great Master and shake off this mortal coil. The latest to be added to the long list of Temuka pioneers is Mrs Edith Benbow, relict of the late W. C. Benbow whose death occurred about a year ago. The deceased had been failing off and on for some considerable time, and could only get about with difficulty. For some considerable time past she had been residing with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs W. Benbow,

Cross Street, at whose place her death occurred with remarkable suddenness on Saturday evening last. It appears at about a quarter to seven on that evening she took a fainting fit, and before medical aid could be procured Mrs Benbow passed away in a few minutes in the arms of her daughter-in-law, Mrs A Benbow.

The late Mrs Benbow was one of old residents of Temuka. She was born in Oxfordshire (England) 56 years ago and came out to Now Zealand when she was nine years of age. At one time she resided in Geraldine and latterly at Temuka. She was married in 1886 and leaves three sons, (William, Herbert, and Reginald to mourn their loss. The funeral takes place this afternoon.

TIMARU HERALD, 18 JULY 1922: An Inquest, touching the death of Mrs Edith Benbow,was held yesterday afternoon at the Temuka Courthouse, before Mr E. D. Moslay, District Coroner.

Sergt. Dwan conducted the inquiry, and called the following evidence; William John Joshua Benbow, who deposed that he was an enginedriver residing at Cross Street, Temuka. Identified the body of deceased as that of his mother, Edith who was a widow, 56 years of age. For about I3 years deceased had been ill with a bad knee. Came to him to live on December 5th last, and her health had been intermittent since that date. Deceased was up on Friday, and went to bed on the Saturday. Was called on Saturday evening to see his mother in another room at his home, and found his wife holding her up on the bed. Deceased spoke, and shortly afterwards she expired. Sent for a doctor, who arrived later.

Alice Maria Benbow, wife of the previous witness, knew the deceased, who was her mother-in-law. Had known her for 18 years, and she had been suffering from a bad leg during that period. Witness corroborated the evidence of her husband regarding the condition of the deceased. . Last Friday Mrs Benbow got up but on Saturday she took to her bed again. On that evening witness heard his mother groaning and on going into the bedroom, he found her in his wifes arms and she shortly afterwards expired. Alice M. Benbow, wife of the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence and stated that on Saturday evening deceased got up to have her bed made. She complained of feeling very unwell and while witness was assisting her to bed, she said - I am dying and going to see daddy...

Dr. Scannell deposed that about 7.13 on Saturday evening he received a message to go to see Mrs Benbow who was seriously ill. On arriving there half-an-hour later, found she was dead. The body was well nourished and there were no signs of external Injury or violence, but there was a discharging wound at the inner side of the right knee, and a fair amount of pus. The deceased was in a very anaemic condition. In his opinion death was due to heart failure, the result of her debilitated condition, consequent upon long standing bone disease. Proper care and attention had been bestowed upon the deceased. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

FUNERAL NOTICE: The Friends of W. J. J. BENBOW are respectfully informed that the funeral of his late Mother will leave his residence, Murray, Street, Temuka, on TUESDAY, July 18th, at 2.30 p.m. for the Temuka Cemetery. (Row 155, Plot 606)