Preece Family Tree

EXETER CIVIC CHIEFS

Public Service

MR. R. G. SAUNDERS TO BE MAYOR

Office Of Sheriff For Mr. W. T. Slader

Mr. R. Glave Saunders, of Little Haccombe, Redhills, St. Thomas, Exeter, has consented to nomination as Mayor of Exeter for the ensuing year, and Mr. William Thomas Slader, of Pentillie, Honiton-road Exeter, as Sheriff.

Both are members of Exeter City Council, and Mr. Glave Saunders was Sheriff of the city for the year 1935-6.

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SHERIFF-ELECT.

Mr. W. T. Slader, the Sheriff-Elect, is governing director of Messrs. Peter Slader and Co., wholesale fruit merchants, Southernhay East, Exeter. His father, the late Mr. Peter Slader, came to Exeter from North Molton district, and from the business as dairyman he commenced the present large concern has developed.

After his education at the former St. John's Hospital School, Mr. Slader entered the business in 1905. In 1923 his father was returned to the City Council for St. Sidwell's Ward, but died within three days of the election. Mr. W. T. Slader was offered the seat. He could not then accept it, but in 1929 he stood as candidate for the same ward - in which he was bron - and was elected, and he has represented the ward ever since without a contest.

One of the most assiduous members of the Council, he is chairman of the Market and General Purposes Committee, which controls the fire brigade, markets and cattle market, baths, weights and measures, and gas meter departments; deputy chairman of the Assessment Committee; and a member of the Finance, Watch, Education and A.R.P. Committees. In his capacity as chairman of the Market and General Purposes Committee he has been busily engaged during recent years in connection with the schemes for the provision of a new cattle market and swimming bath.

LIFELONG METHODIST.

Mr. Slader is a general commissioner of Income-tax and a member of the Governing Body of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. He is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, worshipping at Southernhay, where his father was a trustee, and has filled practically every office open to a layman.

Mr. Slader married, in 1919, Miss Mabel A. Sargeant, a member of a well-known Cornish family. During the war she served in the Royal Army Service Corps forage department on Salisbury Plain. Like her husband, she is an enthusiastic and energetic worker on behalf of the Church, and readily assists him in his private and public duties.

Last year Mr. Slader was appointed to the Commission of the Peace for the city, and is one of the youngest members of the city panel of J.P.s. He is 48.

Mr. Slader is very keen on gardening, and takes a particular pride in it, but his special hobby is collecting and maintaining at his home an aviary of foreign birds.

Congratulations were extended to Mr. Glave Saunders and Mr. Slader at yesterday's meeting of Exeter Education Committee, when the Chairman (Ald. J. Stocker) remarked that never before had they the honour of having the two civic leaders in one year on the committee. He wished them both a happy and successful year of office.