MEMORY TRIBUTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 11

MEMORY TRIBUTES.

DEATH DURING YEAR.] LEGISLATORS' SERVICE. ACKNOWLEDGED IN HOUSE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives to-day passed a series of resolutions placing oil record its deep appreciation of the services to the country of former legislators who had died during the Parliamentary recess. Referring to the record of Sir Edwin Mitchelson, the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, said he was a man of high ideals, who had taken a great interest in tho public affairs of his country, and he was a man who rendered groat service during the whole of his long life. Tlie Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, said Sir Edwin Mitchelson was a man who knew and served New Zealand when it was a comparative wilderness, and when things were not so easy of accomplishment as they were to-day. Once having given his word, he could bo relied upon to carry it out. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, said Sir Edwin was a pioneer of the west coast of North Auckland. He had great coniidenee in the future of New Zealand, and his confidence was never shaken. Everything he took up he considered from tho viewpoint of public welfare. Referring to Mr. H. G. Ell, ex-member for Christcluireh and Christchureh East, Mr. Forbes said ho would be missed not only in Christchurch. but in the whole of Canterbury. He devoted much of his attention to "the improvement of scenic reserves. Mr. Forbes eaid he nlways rememberer] Mr. J. C. Thomson, ex-member for Wallace, as a man who took a great interest in the purity of the English language. Mr. Forbes described Sir Henry Wigrnm as the virtual founder of aviation in New Zealand. He spoke of the unobtrusive way in which, as a member of the Legislative Council, he assisted in many ehrtritable and deserving causes. His splendid gifts to the State in the interests of aviation had been of im- '■ mense value to the nation.

Mr. Savage said Sir Henry's name would live for generations, and people of progressive ideas would in years to come realise what he had done, for aviation in the Dominion. Tributes, were also paid by members to Mr. T. H. Davey, ex-member for Christchurch East, Mr. J. S. Fletcher, ex-member for Grey. Lynn, and Mr. L. M. Grace, ex-member for Tauranga. The House then adjourned until the evening as a mark of respect. In the Legislative Council speeches were made paying tributes to the work of Sir Edwin Mitchelson and Sir Henry Wigram, .both former members of the Council.