Professor L. C. Webb And Wife Killed In Smash

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29857, 25 June 1962, Page 10

Professor L. C. Webb And Wife Killed In Smash

(NZ. Press Assn.—Copyright) LAUNCESTON (Tasmania), June 24. Professor Leicester Webb, former New Zealand Director of Economic Stabilisation, was killed yesterday in a head-on road collision near Ross, about 60 miles south of Launceston. His wife, Caroline, a daughter of the late Archbishop West-Watson, Primate of New Zealand, was another victim of the crash, which took four lives.

The other two dead were Mrs Mary* Reeves, of Launceston, a passenger in the Webbs’ car, and Mrs Bertha Hart, who was riding in a van which was in collision with the car.

All three persons who died in Professor Webb's car were New Zealanders.

Mrs Reeves, formerly Miss Mary Menzies, of Christchurch. was the wife of Mr L. W. P. Reeves, manager of the Launceston “Examiner.”

Mr Reeves, a former New Zealand journalist, and onetime news editor of the “Examiner,” and lAofessor Webb had been friends for many years. The police said the accident occurred about 4 p.m. on the ’Midland highway, near a hump bridge which has been the scene of a number of accidents in the past. The names of the victims were released only today. Doctors at Launceston General Hospital are fighting tonight to save the lives of the van driver, Geoffrey John Hart, and a third occupant of the van, Russell Stewart, of Launceston. Both have head injuries and fractured legs. Professor Webb and his wife, who had been visiting Hobart, went to Launceston to spend the week-end with the Reeves family. Professor and Mrs Webb and Mrs Reeves were killed instantly. Mrs Hart died about three hours later in hospital.

Professor Webb was born in Leicester, England, in 1905. He came to New Zealand and was educated at the Waihopai school, and Southland and Waitaki Boys’ High Schools In 1928 he gained

his diploma in journalism at Canterbury University College, and in 1929 his master of arts degree with honours in history. He was a post-graduate scholar of the University of New Zealand at Caius College, Cambridge, and attended the Geneva School of International Studies. He was for some time on the literacy staff of the "Southland Times," and represented that newspaper in the Parliamentary press gallery. He was a leader writer with “The Press” from 1932 to 1942.

From 1932 to 1941 he also lectured in political science at Canterbury University College and was staff officer in charge of current affairs for the Army Education and Welfare Service from 1941 to 1945. He was Director of Economic Stabilisation from 1945 to 1948 and Director of Marketing from 1948 to 1951. He was a member of the National Historical Cdfcimittee from 1938 to 1940 and was president of the New Zealand Institute of Public Administration in 1947. In 1950 he was appointed reader in political science of the Australian National University, in Canberra. Professor Webb was appointed to the chair’of political science in 1956. He was well known as a political commentator both in Australia and New Zealand, where he gave many foreign affairs broadcasts. His books included “Educational Administration in New Zealand," “Government in New Zealand," “Communism and

Democracy in Australia” and “Church and State in Italy.” He was president of the Australian Political Studies' Association and a former president of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. He w r as recently elected chairman of the Anglican Church’s Commission on International Affairs. The director of the research school of social scientists at the Australian National University, Professor P. H. Partridge, said Professor Webb’s death was a grievous loss. “His was one of the earliest appointments to the school and he played a leading part in its growth,” Professor Partridge said. “In his academic work. Professor Webb was noted for the unusual width of his academic interests. He created a department distinguished for the vigour and variety of its work. He was equally versatile in his practical interests and since coming to this

country from New Zealand has left his mark in a number of fields of Australian public life.” Professor and Mrs Webb are survived by two sons and two daughters. Professor and Mrs Webb were mgrried in the Christchurch Cathedral in 1932. Mrs Webb gained her master of arts degree at Canterbury University College where she was prominent in student affairs and the Student Christian Movement. For a period she was headmistress of Selwyn House School. She was a frequent speaker at women’s meetings both in Christchurch and Wellington and later in Australia.

She later took a post graduate course in international law and relations at the London School of Economics. Mrs

Webb was foundation president of the Canberra branch of the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association and last year was elected Commonwealth president.

Early this year Mrs Webb returned from a nine months’ tour overseas with Professor Webb who was on sabbatical leave. She lived for six months in Rome, spent two weeks in New Delhi when her husband attended the World Council of Churches conference, and then visited her daughter in Malaya. Mrs Reeves was widely known for her work with the Red Cross Society, the National Council of Women, and other organisations. She was a member of the State Advisory Committee of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.