DEATH OF MAJOR HARRIS

AGED 92 YEARS.

VETERAN OF MAORI WAR.

PROMINENT POLITICIAN.

A long and notable career terminated yesterday when Major Benjamin Harris died at his home, "Taumaihi," Clyde Street, Epsom, at the great age of 92 years. Mr. Harris was born at Lisburn in 1836 imd came to New Zealand with his parents in 1847, so that he has lived in this country 81 years. His boyhood was speut on his father's farm at East Tamaki. When he had reached the a«e of 22 years, Mr. Harris took up a block of 400 acres of land at Pukekohe, most of which was native bush. At the outbreak of war with the Maoris in Taranaki, Mr. Harris joined the Otahuhu Cavalry Volunteers under . Colonel Nixon. When hostilities started in the Waikato, Mr. Harris in 18C3 led the 60th Regiment through the Maori tracks to the native settlement at Tuakau. At the request of Colonel Xixon he raised a troop of cavalry and was appointed to its command. Mr. Harris received his baptism of fire at Paterangi and was in several rnpajrements afterwards. In ISG6 he left the force and returned to his farm inly to find that the house had been burned down. Major Harris was appointed bv the Government to take •harge of the newly-arrived immigrants ocated at Pokeno, Tuakau and Pukekohe. He was elected captain of the L'ukekohe Rifles and also of the Tuakau Rifles, holding both appointments at the •ame time." It was later that he received the commission of major. He ilso raised the company known as the franklin Mounted Rifles. Major Harris ebuilt his house at the farm and maried in 1867.

For 47 years Major Harris was in the Legislature. He was a member of the Auckand Provincial Council from 1874 to 187(1, served on the Manukau Council, the Auckland Land Board and repre- ' sen ted the Pukekohe Church for a long time on the Anglican Synod.

In "1879 Major Harris was elected to] Parliament to represent tbe Franklin seat, which he held until IS9G. The next year he was appointed to the Legislative Council, which position he resigned only three years ago after 26 years* service. Major Harris is survived by his wife, one son. Mr. W. Harris, who saw service in the South African War. There are three daughters, Mrs. -W. Glasson, of Epsom; Mrs. J. T. Bosworth, of Palmerston Xorth; and Mrs. F. Short, of Opotiki. The interment takes pace to-morrow at Pukekolie Cemetery.