Death of Mr. Alfred Saunders.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 27, 31 October 1905, Page 2

Death of Mr. Alfred Saunders.

Mr Alfred Saunders, a venerable colonist and parliamentarian, died on Saturday afternoon, at Christchurch. He was born m Lavington, Wilts, England, m 1820, and was brought up as fanner and miller. He arrived m Nelson m 1842, and waa closely identified with that provincial" district for 25 years. He |eleoted |a member of the Provincial Council for Waiinea South m 1855, and represented that district continuously until he became Superintendent of the province. He was re-elected Superintendent m 1865, but resigned m 1867 to visit England. In 1859 he was elected member for Waimea, and m the year following was offered and declined the position of Colonial Treasurer m the Fox Ministry. He remained m England from 1867 to 1871, when he settled m Canterbury and was elected member for Cheviot, being re-elected m 1879. In 1880' he. was appointed chairman of the Civil .Service Commission, whose report led to the removal of the chief railway commissioner m each island, together with a large number of other officials. From 1889 to 1891 he sat as a member for Linclon, and from 1891 to 1895 for Selwyn, being defeated m 1896. Publications by Mr Saunders include ••Our Domestic birds," 1888; "Our horses," 1885 ; and" History of New Zealand." Deceased had been prominently connected with education ; was frequently elected Governor of Nelson College and Ashburton High School, and was a member of the Nelson and North Canterbury Education Boards. He was first married m 1847, and leaves five sons and three daughters. Hiswife died m 1895, and he married again m 1899, while on a visit to England. Since his return from England, a couple of years ago, he had been m failing health.

Mr W. Saunders, of Otautau, one of deceased's sons, left on Sunday to attend the funeral.