MR GEORGE FRIEND.

(By Tkjleoraph.) (from ocr special corrksvondlnt.) WELLINGTON, July 19. Mr George Friend, Clerk of ti.e House of Representatives, who has been seriously ill for some months, died this morning. Hβ was the highest officei of the House, and for many years had performed his duties in a most able and painstaking manner. The disease which caused death was a glandular swelling, which developed into a painful tumour. The deceased bore his illness with great fortitude, and refused t<. the last to take opiates to relieve the pain. He leaves a willow and grown-up daughter. Mrs Friend was so ill that she was not allowed to leave her bed at the time of her husband's death, and her daughter is laid up with iufluenza*

Mt Friend, who was about sixty rears of age, was a native of London, where his father was fov many years AccountautGeueral for India, first in the East Indian Company's service, and afterwards, in the Imperial service. His earlier education was received at a private school at Leatherhead, near Dorking, iv Surrey, and afterwards a.t King's College and the University ot London, where he remained for three years, and took high honours. Although entered ut Triuity College, Cambridge, he did not 'ong continue his University career, but left iingla-nd in August, 1853, taking passage to New Zealand by the Hamillo- Mitchell, and arriving in New Zealand shortly before the termination of the first governorship of Sir George Grey, to whom no had brought letters of introduction. In the following year Mr Friend joined the Government sea-vice in the department of Dr. Knight, the AuditorGeneral. After four years he was promoted to a position under the. Commissioner for Land Pm-chnse, Sir Donald McLean, in whose department he worked till 1863. In that your Mr Friend was appointed Cleric Assistant to the Houso ot Representatives, wliich position lie retained until 1889, when he succeeded Major Canipbeli as Clerk oi t-lie House.