Councillor Frederick Birch is a member of the Blenheim Borough Council. He was born in Worcester, England, where he served his time at engmeering in his native town with Mr. George Lacy, and subsequently was for several years with two large engineering firms—Messrs Tangye Brothers and Messrs May and Mountain—of Birmingham. In 1874, Mr. Birch came to New Zealand, and established himself in business in Blenheim as a patternmaker and turner. Seven years later, he procured a small plant that enabled him to deal with engines and machines generally, and he now (1905) conducts a prosperous business as a turner, machinist, engineer and cycle expert. Mr. Birch was for many years a member of the Wairau River Board, and was chairman at the time of the construction of the flood-relief channel. He has, for twenty years, been a member of the local school committee, of which he has been chairman on several occasions, and has been a member of the Garrison Band for twenty years, of which he was master for two years. Mr. Birch, who is a tenor singer of some ability, is further referred to as a [gap — reason: illegible]ner, machinist, engineer and eyele expert.