THE HON. J. G. COBBE

■ The death of the Hon. John George Cobbe, a former member of Parlia-' ment and Minister of the Crown, occurred in a private hospital in Palmerston North t yesterday. He, was a resident of Feildingfor many years, and when"l he entered Parliament in 1928 as a member of the United Party led by. the late Sir Joseph Ward he was well known to Wellington residents as chairman, of the Wellington Harbour i Board. He was elected to Parliament as member for Oroua, and when this electorate was eliminated he reprej sented Manawatu. When he retired I from politics last year he had had 15 j years' unbroken Parliamentary service. In addition to his chairmanship of the Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. Cobbe was for a time chairman of the New Zealand Harbour Boards' Association. Mr. Cobbe's early political career was phenomenal. When he contested the Oroua seat in 1928 it was his first attempt to gain political honours. Oroua had been a Reform seat for many years and Mr. Cobbe was successful in whining it from the sitting member, Br. J. G. Elliott. Sir Joseph Ward'became Prime Minister, and Mr. Cobbe was selected as a member of the Cabinet, before he actually took his seat in the House. Mr. Cobbe was

appointed Minister of Marine, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Minister of Immigration and Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Machinery i Department. Later, on the amalgamation of the parties and the formation of the National Government, he re- ! tamed his Ministerial offices. Other portfolios held by Mr. Cobbe during his career as a Cabinet Minister were those of Defence and Justice. Mr. Cobbe was born in King's County, Ireland. After coming to NewZealand he settled 'n Feilding, where down through the years he held practically every public position and as a result no name was better known than iiis. He was managing director of John Cobbe, Ltd., in Feilding till his retirement in 1919, after which he devoted greater attention to considerable sheep-farming interests in the Wanganui River district. After his long experience, Mr. Cobbe had a keen analytical brain. He was soft spoken, and not always easy to hear in Parliament, but his speeches usually contained material showing evidence of .study and clear thinking. His manner of speech was crisp and decisive, and was burred with a delightfully rich brogue of his native Ireland. In June of this year Mr. Cobbe was the guest at a representative gathering in Feilding arranged in recognition of his public services extending over 50 years. He was made a presentation of a massive silver tea and coffee service engraved with words of appreciation. Mr. Cobbe had two sons, one of whom was killed in the war of 1914----18, and one daughter. •. Mrs. Cobbe died some years ago. The funeral will take place at Feilding tomorrow afternoon and the Government will be represented by the ,Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Nash).