DEATH OF HON. JOSEPH GRIMMOND, M.L.C.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18242, 28 November 1924, Page 8

DEATH OF HON. JOSEPH GRIMMOND, M.L.C.

(special to "the phess.") GREYMOUTH, November 27, The Hon. Joseph Grimmond, M.L.C., died suddenly to-night at Boss. Mr Grimmond was born at Drogheijp, Ireland, in 1843, and was educated at the Blue Coat School of that town. He became an engineer and emigrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne in 1859. He worked at Ballarat and Creswiclc Creek' goldfiolds, and in 1801 left for Gabriel's Gully, Otago. In the gold rush of 1865 he went to the West Coast, awlj he served as mine-manager for the Band of Hope Gold Mining Company, the Boss United, and tho Mont d'Or Company- Mr Grimmond was well known in public life, having been Mayor of Host) toji times. He represented Westland in tho House of Representatives from ISB7 to IS9O, and was called to the Legislative Council in 1918. He •vyas Ave times chairman of the Ross County Council, and he retired this year from the Canterbury Education Board, where he had hejrl a seat for ft number of years. Mr Grimmond married a daughter of Mr, Duncan Macfarlane, resident magistrate of Hokitika, in 1808.

"GRAND OLD MAN OF UPPER HOUSE." (SFECIAI, TO "THB rums.") , GREYMOUTH, November 27. Reference was made to the career of the late Hon. J. Grimmond at to-night's meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council. In announcing his death, the Mayor (Mr W. H. Parfitt) said Mr Grimmond was loved by all with whom he camo in contact. Ho had spent his life in the service of his country. A pioneer of Westland, ho was member tor the district in the early days and later Mayor of Ross, and a member of the Westland County Council, of which ho was chairman for several years. In moving a vote of condolence with his widow, he said Mr Grimmond was the Grand Old Man of tho Upper Bouse. Cr. J. O'Brien, M.P., said the Dom-* jnion had lost one of its best public men. Mr Grimmond was the embodiment of the glorious spirit which was consistent with the best traditions of the West Coast. The speaker's" last conversation in Wellington with tho deceased legislator was in connexion with the reduction of the 'allowance to old age pensioners by the Westland Hospital Board, an action to which lie toolc strong exception. Mr. Grimmond was -iesenvedly the favourite of both Houses of Parliament. He seconded the motion.

Cr. Harker also added his tribute, and the motion was carried in silence, the Mayor and Councillors standing.