OBITUARY Mr H. G. Livingstone, Noted Citizen Of Christchurch

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28819, 13 February 1959, Page 10

OBITUARY Mr H. G. Livingstone, Noted Citizen Of Christchurch

Mr Henry Gillies Livingstone died in Christchurch yesterday at the age of 68 years; but the news that will spread among his host of friends will be that "Harry Livingstone,” “H.G.” or “Major Livingstone” has died. For Mr Livingstone, a man of great personal drive and breezy good humour, had a life packed with interests—business, social, political and military, i He founded a business which has grown enormously, he was one of the men who laid the foundations for the National Party to take power in 1949, he took a full part in New Zealand’s territorial defence scheme between the world .wars, and played a good part in the community life of Christchurch. Mr Livingstone was born in Timaru in 1890 and was educated at the Otago Boys’ High School. He began farming on his own account in 1909 and six years later began his life-time interest in. the Army when he joined the New Zealand Defence Staff as adjutant of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, where his prowess as a horseman and soldierly ability could be given full scope. In 1919, he founded the firm of H. G. Livingstone and Company, and although he had had no previous experience as an auctioneer and land agent, he soon made liis mark on the business community. His self-acquired knowledge of the business was to bring him recognition later as a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and a fellow of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

He joined the Christchurch Drainage Board in 1923 and served as a member of it for 25 years, being chairman in 1934 and again from 1944 to 1948, as well as being chairman at various times of several of the board’s committees. That was Mr Livingstone’s main local body interest, but in national politics he took a more active part. But it was a part that kept him, in the main, on the administrative side —helping to formulate party policy and guiding financial and publicity arrangements. He was president of the New Zealand Political Reform Party’s Canterbury division, and when the National Party came into being—he was one of its architects —Mr Livingstone became a national councillor and for many years was chairman of the publicity committee of the party and a member of the Dominion executive and policy committee.

He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1950 as one of the *Buicide squad” appointed to vote for the abolition of the Second Chamber. He served for a term as a member of the New

Zealand Broadcasting Board. In the Army, Mr Livingstone wias best known for his long association with the C.Y.C., in which he held the rank of major, although during the Second World War he rose to. the rank of lieutenant-colonel and commanded the Nelson-Marlborough Mounted , Rifles. For his long military service he was awarded the Volunteer Decoration. Polo was Mr Livingstone’s sport, and he was a member of the Christchurch Polo Club. He was one of the team which won the New Zealand junior ehampionship in 1928 and of the team which won the Gould Cup in 1928 and again in 1929, and of the Tahu Cup winning team in 1928. As a member of the standing committee of the Christchurch Diocese, and for many years a member of the council of St. Saviour’s Orphanage, Mr Livingstone served the church in which he was brought up. From 1928 Mr Livingstone was made a justice of the peace. During the visit of the Duke of York—later King George Vl—to Christchurch in 1927, Mr Livingstone was chairman of the Citizens* Ball Committee which entertained the Duke. Throughout his life he was keenly interested in the work of the patriotic societies.

From its inception until last year, Mr Livingstone was chairman of directors of St Elmo Courts, Ltd.

Mr Livingstone’s many services to the community were recognised in 1950 by the award of the 0.8. E. in the Queen's Birthday honours. Mr Livingstone is survived by his wife and by two sons, Mr Reuel Livingstone, who now heads the business founded by his father, and Dr. David Livingstone, of Christchurch.