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Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 232, 2 October 1933, Page 7

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EARLY NEW ZEALAND.

Death of Popular Former

Governor.

EARL OF RANFURLY PASSES

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright! LOXDON", October 1. The death has occurred of the Earl of Ivanfurly, formerly Governor of New Zealand. His genial manner and unfailing bonhomie, his love ot' sport and his great consideration for all classes, marked out Lord Kanfurly as particularly fitted for the post of Governor of a growing young colony. He was Governor during the Scddonian Liberal regime, and his signature was affixed to many of the . most important measures now on the Dominion statute book. Without doubt one of the most popular Governors ever to bave set foot in the country, Lord Kanfurly leaves a splendid monument to his initiative and enthusiasm in the Ranfurly Veterans' Home at Three Kings, to which he devoted hie pei'sonal energies unflaggingly. Ho laid its foundation stone on May 25, 1003, and opened the finished institution on December 10 of the same year. Among other works for which he is remembered is the laying of the foundation stone of the Knox Presbyterian Church, Parnell. He was Governor when the present King and Queen paid their only visit to New Zealand. .

Governor for the seven years 1597-1904, Uchter John Mark Knox, fifth Karl of Ranfurly, descendant of John Knox and William Penn, was born in Guernsey, 77 years ago, although he had his estates in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ulster. The second son of the third earl, he succeeded his brother, who was killed while on a fihooting expedition in Abyssinia, at the age of 19. He commenced a naval career, but gave this up on entering Cambridge. Lord Ranfurly had twice visited New Zealand prior to his appointment as Governor, as a tourist, and vfae greatly impressed with the beauty of its scenery. He was an authority on fruitgrowing. lie also was interested.in mining matters, and was once • a student at the Geological Institute, Jermyn Street, London, where he went through several courses in treating ores and minerals, which he followed by taking a few practical field excursions. The heir to the earldom is Viscount Northland, grandson of the late Lord Ranfurly, and son of the late Viscount Northland, who was killed in action in 1915.