THE LATE MR E. D. HOBEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 6976, 15 February 1918, Page 4

THE LATE MR E. D. HOBEN.

The death occurred in Melbourne recently, after a long illness, of Mr Ernest Denid Hoben, a promise) t figure in New Zealand journalistic circles. The late Mr Hoben wa* born in Auckland in 1864. and after a few years in New South Wales, spent bh youth at r<aurar.ga, where ho wee a prominent figure in local athletics, captein of the football and boxing cluba, secretary of tne cricket club, and a noted swimmer, walker, and general athlele. After some banking experience in Tauranga he took to joutnalißin (with which he had already b«en connected a? a contributor at Tauranga and Napier) joining the Hawke's Bay Herald at Napier. Sub sequent];* lie removed to Wellington, where as Prrliamentary special to the Evening Post, he became .fell-known throughout the Donjinion, A long series of.successes in the publication of special political news bad, as a leading incident, a Royal Commission —the "Fox Coramissioon" —set up to ascertain how he became posteseed cf certain information respecting the relations ot the Cumncandant and the Premier. The Commission, after a lergtby sitting, failed in its object, Mr Hoben and the editor of the Po?t (tbe late Mr E. T. Gilloi) refusing to appear before it. In conjunction with ; bis brother, Mr Sidney Hoben, tbe well-known piar ist, Mr Ecbsn published a number of successful cone?*"* He aIBO wrote a pamphlet en the life of John Ballance which fcad a favourable reception Bnd a wide circulator. In 1896 Mr Hoben left the Post ard joined the Sydney Morning Herald. Subsequently he was on the staffs of tbe Sydney Daily Telegraph and the Sydney Mail. Ksturning to New Zeglacd, be was for -ome time general raanagor of the Now Zealand Times, and afterwards propiietor and editor cf tbe Manawotu Daily Tinien, Pal-

aer§ton North. In 1912 Mr Hoben came to Chti»tcnhurch, to fill a position on the editorial.stiff of the Evening Newa, with which JGurnsl hs was connected, latterly aa sub-eciUor, until he was appointed, early last year, to the eub-ediioriel stsfr of the Melbourne Herald, but although be went to Austtalis, illness prevented his actually taking up tbe position. Mr Hcben will always be remembered in New Zealand aa the founder and for many years, the chief executive officer, of the New Zealaßdßugby Union He v»a9 also an officer in a large number of athletic organisation^ of widely different character, at:d for some years was on the Council of the New Zealand Journalists' Institute. He took, throughout bis carser, a particular interest In the welfare of the Maoris, primarily amongst the boys cf Te Aute College, and when he was in Sydney, he was looked upon by tourirg Maoiis practically aa their Australian representative. Naturally, he came much into contact with the late Joe Wai brick, tbe famous Maori footballer and guide, and with him, was instrumental in Eeuding Maori and other footballing teams on tour in New Zealand and to Australia, and tbe Old Cnutitrv. While residing in Cbristchnrch, Mr Hcb^n was prcmitiontly connected with the Overseas Club ard the Savage Club and took a very active part in the recruiting campaign and patriotic work generally, in the early days of the wor. Mr Flaben leaves five children in Chtistchureh. the eldest son, Mr Sydney Hoben, being a member of the resdiug statf of The Press.—Cftritschurch Press.