OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12151, 24 March 1905, Page 3

OBITUARY.

SIR ALFRED CADMAN. fmiSS ASSOCIATIOS TIXZC&AH.) AUCKLAND, March 23. Sir Alfred Cadman, iSpeakor of the Legislative Council, died this morning, after a long illness. Sir A. J. Cadman was the oldest son of the- late Mr Jeromo Cadman, who was well-known to Aucklandvrs as a piominent member of the Provincial Council, and was born in Sydney in 1847. When only an infant his parents crossed over to Auckland. He first fntered politics as a member of the liki Highway Board at Coroniandel. Here he speedily rose to the position of chairman. On the coming into operation of the Counties Act, ho became chairman of the Coroniandel County Council, a position he held for ten years. At the end of 1881 lie was returned to Parliament as member for Coromandol; three years later, and again in 1887, he was re-elected for the. same, constituency. In 1890 he stood for the Thames electorate—which now included the main portion of the old Coroniandel electorate, and was elected after a severe tight. In 1893 Mr W. 1,. Hee.s attacked Sir A. J. Cadman (then Mr Cadman) on the floor of the House, stating that no had used his position as Native Minister to further his own private interests in connection with the purchase of some native lands in Hawke's Bay. Mr Cadman challenged Mr Rees to resign his «oat and contest a constituency, so that the electors might express their opinion on the charges made against him and liLs conduct as a Minister. Mr Cadman gave his adversary the choice of battle-ground, expressing himself willing to meet Mr Kees either at thrt Thames or in Auckland City. Mr Roes accepted the challenge, and chose his own constituency. Both gentlemen resigned on the 20th July, 1893, and the City of Auckland became, the scene of a fierce struggle between the two politicians, the result tteing a victory for Mr Cadman by one of tho largest majorities <7o0) ever gained before tho advent of the fair sox to the New Zealand polling booths. In 1893 Mr Cadman successfully wooed the electors of the Waikato. It may be remarked that in Mr Cadman's political career he never on any occasion failed in lieing elected to a seat on a Road Board upwards. Ho first became Minister of tho Crown in January, 1891, when ho was made Commissioner of Stamp Duties, which position he held for only six days. In February the same year ho took tho portfolio of Native Affairs, and on May 28th ho was appointed Minister of Justice. In the Seddon Administration he continued Native Minister and Minister of Justice till his resignation in June, 1893. On his return to tho House he was pressed to resume his old portfolio as Native Minister, but declined to do so, and was, therefore, appointed Minister of Minos, and again took tho portfolio of Justice. Tho position of Minister of Mines was a peculiarly congenial one to Mr Cadman, as, havinfjlived the best part of his life on the gomfields he naturally took groat interest ih mining legislation and was au fait with matters affecting that industry. Tho portfolio of Railways was conferred on Mr Cadman in January, 1895. A fact not generally known is that this was in accordance with a wish expressed by his late chief (Hon. Mr Ballanco) some time before his death. Tho honourable gentleman probably hold more portfolios than any of his colleagues. In 1876 he was married to Miss Bell, daughter of Mr Joseph Bell, J.P., of Whangarei. Mrs Cadman died in April, 1892, leaving one son and one daughter. Owing to failing health Mr Cadman left tho Ministry some years ago, and was appointed a member of the Legislative Council. Hβ subsequently made a trip to England in connection withthe coal deposits and iron-sand industries of Taranaki, and on his return was selected as Speaker of the Upper House, a position he was not long privileged to hold.