OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 276, 19 November 1913, Page 4

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF ME G. _AU___-_olr --LI. AN EX-CABINET MINISTER. (By Teles-raph.—Press Assoc-Etton.) WELLINGTON, this day. The death took place this morni™ after a brief but serious illness, of Xl> George Laurenaon, Mi*, for Lyttelton. When the news was announced in the House of Representatives this morning Parliament adjourned until 2J30 p.m. as a mark of respect for the deceased gentleman A DISTINGUISHED TOLmCIAN. The late Mr. Laurenson was fifty-sh* years of age, and ranked amongst the most able of the legislators on the Liberal side of the House. Indeed, ai a forceiul and eloquent speaker, there were few wbo could command greater respect than the late member for Lyttelton. Of average height, slightly built, with the stooping shoulders of the scholar a handsome, clean-shaven, strongly-marked face, and crisp brown hair, hewas one of the most notable-looking men in Parliament. As a debater, he was in .he front rank of Parliamentarians, and in party fights, or important debates he was always a power to be reckoned with. He has represented Lyttelton in the House of Representatives for fourteen years, and on ouc occasion was returned with the handsome majority of 2100 votes. Four years ago Mr. Laurenson had a severe illness, and his health on that occasion caused his family and friends co-f-ideraWe anxiety. He recovered sufficiently, however, to resume his scat in Parliament before the session of that year ended. In the Mackenzie Government of last year, Mr. Laurenson was eaiied upon to take up the portfolios of Labour, Customs, and Marine. His death, while a loss to the country as a whole, will be particularfmourned by the Prohibitionist party, for he was one of the strongest advocates of the Prohibitionist cause. It is significant that this party has since last election lost two of its leaders who were Parliamentarians —Mr. T. E. Taylor and Mr. Laurenson —as well as its organiser, Mr. Nicholls. The late Mr. Laurenson was. born in Edinburgh, and arrived in New Zealand in 1576. He entered the emplo*-men t of Mr. R. Forbes, of Lyttelton, and later became a partner in the firm, which conducted the business of ships' store merchants. He held positions on several local bodies, including that of chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. The late Mr. Laurenson leaves a family