OBITUARY

MR. C. J. MONRO

(Special to "The Evening Post.") PALMERSTON N;, This Day. By the death of Mr. Charles John Monro, of Palmerston North, a link is severed with the beginnings of New Zealand's political history, for he was a son of Sir David Monro, one of the first Speakers of the House of Representatives and before that a "Legislative Councillor of the Province of New Munster, Middle or South Island." Bprri at "VVaimea West,; Nelson, on April 5,-1841, the late Mr. Monro was educated at Nelson College and later in England, and came back from the Old Land/an enthusiast in Rugby football. Up till the time of his return in \ 1870 the only winter ball . game played in the colony was an adaptation of tho Australian code, and Mr. Monro was instrumental in. introducing what eventually became Now Zealand's national game. Ho organised and took part in the first interprbvincial Rugby match in the colony, between Nelson and Wellington, that histories contest taking place in a paddock at Petone hear where the railway station now stands. . ■ ' , . '~-'■ . . On-coming to the Manawatu in ISS7 Mr. Monro continued to take a lively interest in all forms'of healthy sport. He was an original member and the first president of the Manawatu* Golf Club, and the eighth hole—one of the niost sporting on the links—-perpetuates his memory. ' Throughout his residence in this district Mr.' Monro took- a keen interest in the baffling problem of river erosion and gave almost a lifetime's study to the vagaries of the Manawatu River. He evolved a thoory of river control which for a very long time met with strenuous'opposition. But with eharact'cristie'tcnaci.ty and no' little dialectic; skill htf persisted in his advocacy until his views gained a much wider acceptance, and w*ere at least in part incorporated into; many of tho more successful schemes of riverbank -prdtectibn. ' ■ ■ ■ -The descendant of; a long lino of medical men,' some of whom occupied distinguished positions at Edinburgh, it is. not surprising that all three of Mr. Monro's sons should haye chosen medicine as their profession. Two of them, Major D. C. Monro, R.A.M.C., and Dr. H. M; Monro, are resident in England, while^ Dr. J. S. Monro practises in Palmerston- North. - : Tho late Mr. Monro married Helena Beatrice, daughter of tho late Donald Mac Donald, of Nelson, and, in addition to his sons, is survived by his widow and-two daughters, Mrs. 11. M. Gaisford and Miss L. Monro, both of Palmerston. North. There aro also six grandchildrc'n. , ; . , . '' '