In affectionate rememberance of
Captain William Ostell PAVITT
2nd Btn N.C.I.N.Z. Defence Forces
and only son of the late
F and M PAVITT
who departed this life
on the 13th October 1909 aged 39 years

Erected by his comrades in the Canterbury district.
“He that believeth on the son has everlasting life John 3.36″

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A VOLUNTEER OFFICER KILLED. [United Press association.] Christchurch, Oct 13. When the volunteers were returning from their manoeuvres this afternoon in motor cars provided, and in many cases driven by the owners, an accident occurred near the Riccarton Hotel, whereby Captain William Ostell Pavitt, officer commanding the Civil Service Rifles was killed. The car was owned and driven by Mr Wm A. Humphreys and there were also with him Lieut Matthews (Civil Service Rifles),. Lieut Guthrie (Canterbury Highlanders) and Captain Salter (Adjutant of the Second North Canterbury Infantry Battalion). The car was travelling at a fair speed round the curve between the parks bordering the Riccarton road when the steering gear went wrong, with the result that the car collided with a tramway pole on i the- side of the road. The car bounded off the pole on to the road, and then collided, with another pole, when it was overturned. The occupants were thrown out on to the road, Captain Pavitt being killed almost instantaneously. The car was completely wrecked. Lieutenant Guthrie received severe injuries to his leg, Lieut Matthews was slightly cut about the hand and the other occupants were uninjured. Captain Pavitt was a clerk in, the office of the North Canterbury Education Board. He was unmarried. [1]

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At the Police Court to-day William Averill Humphreys, the driver of the motor car which met with an accident on Labour Day, resulting in the death of Captain Pavitt, was charged as follows:
“That on October 13, 1909, at Christchurch he did, by his negligence and improper driving of a motor car cause the death of one William Ostell Pavitt, and did thereby commit the crime of manslaughter.” Humphreys was remanded till Friday. Bail was allowed. [2]

A report on the court hearing via Truth newspaper
paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=s…

References:
[1]http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TC19091014.2.58&srpos=8&e=——-10–1—-0ostell+pavitt-all

Probate record: archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=19940874

[2]http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=OW19091027.2.199&cl=search&srpos=1&e=——-10–1—-0ostell+pavitt-all&st=1

with thanks to Sarndra Lees