BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26441, 7 June 1951, Page 6

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

SIR WILLIAM POLSON, K.C.M.G. Sir William Polson has had a distinguished career in public life. He represented Stratford, first as an independent, and later as a member of the National Party, from 1928 until his retirement in 1946. He later became a member of the Upper House, and was its leader when it was dissolved last year. Sir William Polson’s father arrived in Otago in 1850 and took up sheepfanming. In 1873 he moved to the North Island. Sir William Polson was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School and was later engaged in farming for some years. He then took up journalism, and was at one time editor of the “Evening News,” published bv the Christchurch Press Company. In 1906 he returned to farming on his father’s property at Fordell, and he then entered into public life. For many years he was a member of the Wanganui County Council, being chairman for several years. He was also a member of the Wanganui Harbour Board. He was president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union for 18 years. A member of the Royal Commission on Rural Credits In 1926, Sir William Polson, during his parliamentary life, was a member of the War Administration Council in 1942, and a member of the Executive Council. DAME ELIZABETH KNOX GILMER, The seventh daughter of the late Richard John Seddon, Dame Elizabeth Knox Gilmer was born at Kumara. She is only the second New Zealand Dame Commander of the Order, the first being the late Mrs W. F. Massey. She was educated at the Kumara State School, the Wellington Chris' High School (now the Wellington Girls College) and the Wellington Technical College. For many years she has been closely associated with social welfare and Has held leading positions on the administrative side of, numerous organisations. Her hobbles lie largely in horticulture and music. She has become well known for her work in relieving distress. Dame Elizabeth Knox Gilmer has been president of the Wellington branch of the Crippled Children Society, a member of the Wellington Hospital Board and the board pf the Y.MC.A., president of the Social Club for the Blind, an executive member of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, patron of the Wellington Beautifying Society, vice-president of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, Government nominee on the Wellington College Board of Governors, a member of Wellington City Council, an executive of the League of Nations Union, vice-president of the English Speaking Union, vicepresident of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra and Harmonic Society, and president of the New Zealand Library Association. She is a fellow of the Royal Horticulture Society, England. She was awarded the Bledisloe Cup In 1936 and the Loder Cup in 1938 for native flora. She is a life member of the Victoria League and a member of the Navy League. She represented New Zealand at the International Council of Women in 1949, SIR ARTHUR FAIR, Kt. Sir Arthur Fair has been a Judge of the Sup'reme Court since 1934, and has been senior puisne Judge since 1948. Born at Charleston, on the West Coast, in 1885, Sir Arthur Fair won a scholarship to Nelson College and entered Victoria University College in 1904. He graduated LL.B. at the age of 21, and was admitted to the Bar the same year. When the First World War broke out, Sir Arthur Fair was in England. He enlisted in Kitchener's Army, and was awarded a commission with the Suffolk Regiment, and later wrote a history of his battalion. He served in the Canal, Syria, and Palestine campaigns till 1919, and won the Military Cross in the big engagement of September, 1918, with the Turks.

On his return to New Zealand he commenced practice at the beginning of 1920, and in March', 1921, was apEointed Crown Solicitor in the Crown aw Office. He was appointed Principal Law Officer in 1923, and SolicitorGeneral in 1925, When he was also made a K.C. MB E. J. FAWCETT, C.B.E, Mr E. J. Fawcett, who was appointed Director-General of Agriculture in 1943, represented New Zealand during the last war at many overseas food conferences. He returned to New Zealand from Washington recently after attending a meeting of the wool committees of the international Commodities Organisation. Mr Fawcett took the degree of B.A, at Cambridge after the 1914-18 war, specialising in agricultural science and economics. He returned to New Zealand in 1922 and completed the degree of M.A. in 1925. He has published many papers on the economics,of agriculture and has acted in an advisory capacity on several committees and commission*.

PROFESSOR B. E. MURPHY. C.B.E. Professor B. E. Murphy, who is professor of economics at victoria University College, was bom in 1884. He was educated at the Otago Boys* High School, where he was dux in 1902, and at the University of Otago. He graduated Master of Arts in 1909, and Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce in 1916. He was in practice as a barrister in Feilding for some years and was appointed to his present position in 1920. He has published a work on economics and reviews. MR J. P. RUTHERFORD,. C.B E. Mr J. P. Rutherford was appointed Controller and Auditor-General In 1945. he was appointed Mr Rutherford had been 42 years with the Audit Office. He was examiner and ledger keeper at the head office for seven years, audit inspector at Wanganui, Dunedin and Christchurch for 22 years, audit officer in London for five years, supervisor of the local bodies’ branch at the head office for two years and Deputy-Controller and Auditor-General for six years. He is a member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants. MR L O. H. TRIPP, CJS.E. Born in Melbourne while his parents, Mr and Mrs C. G. Tripp, of South Canterbury, were on their way to New Zealand from England. Mr Tripp was educated at Christ’s College and Cambridge University and was called to the Bar, Inner Temple, in 1886. Although he has retired from his law practice in Wellington, Mr Tripp retains many of his wide interests. He has been president of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, the Federation of Acclimatisation Societies of New Zealand, the New Zealand Red Cross, the Wellington branch of the Royal Empire Society, and the Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association. Other organisations with which Mr Tripp has been associated include the Colonial Appointments Board, the Hawke’s Bay Earthquake Adjustment Board, and the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board. MR T. W. M. ASHBY, O.BJE, The Town Clerk of Auckland since 1944, Mr Ashby has been associated with numerous professional organisations. From 1045 to 1047 Mr Ashby was of the New Zealand Institute of Town Clerks and has held office in the New Zealand branch of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, and the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Public Administration. He took a prominent part in the organisation of Auckland Centennial events. MR H. B. BURDEKIN, 0.8. E. Mr Burdekin is a public accountant in Levin. He was educated at Wellington College. Mr Burdekin was a member of the Hawera Borough Council from 1921 to 1925, and has been Mayor of Levin since 1945. He was a provincial representative in three sports—Rugby football, hockey, and Athletics MR A. E. CADDICK, 0.8. E. Mr Caddick is one of the bestknown and most popular figures in education in Canterbury, having retired this year from the headmastership of the Christchurch Boys’ High School. Senior English master at the school for eight years, he was appointed headmaster after five years as headmaster of the Christchurch West High School. Mr Caddick has a distinguished academic and athletic record and has always taken a leading part in educational and cultural affairs.

MR W. R. CAREY, 0.8. E. Well known in business and motoring circles in Christchurch, Mr Carey has for many years taken a prominent part in local affairs. A member of the executive of the South Island Motor Union since 1923. he has also held office, including the presidency, in the Automobile Association, Canterbury. He is a member of the Christchurch Drainage Board. MR J. W. DOVE, 0.8. E. Mr Dove is president of the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Association and was for many years chairman of the Otago Hospital Board. Among the offices Mr Dove has held in his long period of public service was the mayoralty of the borough of St. Kllda. MR H. C. JENKINS, 0.8. E. Editor of the "Wanganui Chronicle” for many years, Mr Jenkins has been a prominent writer on finance. He was editor of the “Mercantile Gazette of New Zealand” for three years and founded and later edited the New Zealand "Law Journal.”

. MR K. E. LUKE. 0.8. E. Wellington City Engineer since 1935, Mr Luke has served the city since 1907, when he joined the staff of the City Corporation as an engineering cadet. He served with the Ist N.Z.E.F. for five years, being appointed assistant engineer on his return.