DEATH OF THE HON. W.C. WALKER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIV, Issue 2837, 8 January 1904, Page 3

DEATH OF THE HON. W.C. WALKER.

Tbiß much respected colonist died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning. He had been suffering from hfluenza, and his heart suddenly f*ile<L The deceased genth man was a good example of our early C-n'cibury Bettlers A man of cuhure and ability, he used all his energies to woure the welfare of that part of the Colony in which his lob was *._Bt «nd no email portion of Ashburton a err at prosperity is due to h : s wise governSent of the County Conncil. A faithful friend, a courteouß opponent, he was of a tvoe that we should like to see many of our __,ouDg colonists endeavour to imitate and iS-hereverhe went be made many ..tends take an account of his career from the « Press " It « as follows :--' The Hon. *Willi m 0. Walker M.A., C.M.G., M.L.3., •4£» hT eldest .on of tbe late Sir William HtuVrt Walker, K.C.B , who was for many Sfchairn an of the Board of Svpervision, -fl-riinburgb. Mr Walker was born in 1837, ft Bowlandßtow, Midlothian, Scotland and weS-ated at Trinity College, Glenalmond Per.h.bire, at Rugby, and ab Trinity C& Oxford, where he graduated in 1861 •and s&eq-ently took his Master of A.te decree He arrived at Lyttelton in the ship Sine Star, in 1862, and with his brother, Mr A 5 Walker- waß for many years conZlntd in sheep farming in the Ashburton ju k own ed the station In 1877, Mr S? « .fi.tt ttok part in publio aflfairs, 2S3_*_ n- *•** ' h0 9tßt 0 *" i "

m.n of the Ashlmr'on Cunty Council a position he held cm timuusly until 1893 He was, in 1884, elected to repreeenb the electorate of Ashburton in the House of Representative?, and sat for that con s ituency for two Parliaments. He was defeated at the general eleotion in 1890, but was called to tbe Legislative Council iv 1892, Foon af er the re'ire m nb of the Hon. W. P. Reeves to take the position of General, Mr Walker joined the Pedd<.n Ministry in 1896, taking the portfolio of Minfster of Education and Immigration, the departments of charitable aid and luracy also being under his charge. Mr Walker was elected to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College on October 2nd, 1886, and continued on the Board till the coming into opera'ion of the Amending Act on June 30tb, 1897, He was instrumental in the passing of this Aot, which provided for the reconstruction of the college and the separation of the Agricultural Collfge. ab Lincoln, from it. From 1891, until he joined the Ministry, Mr Walker was a member of the Canterbury Land Roard. In 1901 Mr Walker was created a Companion of the most distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. During last session of Parliament he rtsigned bis portfolio of Minister of Education, and was elected to tbe position of Speaker of the Legislative Council. Mr Walker was married in 1871 to Miss Margaret WilsoD, a daughter of Archdeacon Wilson, and leaves five sons and ouc daughter. (The deceased gentleman will be buried to-day ab the Sydenham Cemetery.