PUBLIC SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 177, 29 July 1939, Page 10

PUBLIC SERVICE.

A FAMILY TRADITION. MISS HELENA LUNDON'S DEATH. A family tradition of public service is brought to mind by the death in Ponsonby of Miss Helena Lundon, one of five daughters of the late Mr. John Lundon, M.P. for Mangonui and Bay of Islands from 1879 to 1881. Born at Mangonui, Miss Lundon was educated at the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy at Onehunga. For some years she was a school teacher and in 189 4 was appointed to the Christchurch telephone exchange. Later she came to Auckland and was assistant to her sister, Miss Matilda Lundon, who was a foundation member of the women's staff of the Auckland telephone exchange, and supervisor when she retired. Miss Matilda Lundon had several remarkable distinctions during her life. When her father was elected to Parliament he was unable to hold a hotel license, and it therefore was taken up by her at the age of about 18 years. This was at the Wharf Hotel, Hokianga. Mr. John Lundon had many interesting experiences, and when, in 18.84, he and Sir George ftrev went on a visit to Samoa, Miss Matilda Lundon again became a licensee, this time at the Kail way Terminus Hotel. Mr. Lundon's Samoan visit was for purposes of negotiation with King Malietoa Laupepa in regard to British annexation. An Act of annexation was brought back to New Zealand and ratified. When he first entered Parliament in 1879 Mr. Lundon was a contemporary of Richard John Seddon, as a foundation member of the Young New Zealand Party, out of which the Liberal movement in New Zealand grew. One of the most interesting periods in his career was during the depression of the late 'eighties—the most severe that has ever struck this country. He was largely responsible for t'i : organising of the village special settlements under the Ballancc scheme. The late Miss Helena Lundon was his secretary at that time. Three of Miss Lundon's four sisters, the Misses Cecilia, Annie and Clara Lundon, were pioneer school teachers. The two first-mentioned became accomplished Maori linguists and were licensed as native interpreters in the first grade. Miss Cecilia Lundon died at her post. Miss Clara Lundon, now over 80 years old, lives in retirement in Ponsonby. Miss Lundon is survived by her sister Clara and Mr. J. R. Lundon. The family tradition has been carried on hy five members of the third generation who are in the Public Service. The funeral of Miss Lundon took place in the Roman Catholic section of the .Symonds Street cemetery.