Former National Minister dies

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34145, 5 May 1976, Page 5

Former National Minister dies

PALMERSTON NORTH. A former Mayor of Palmerston North and Minister of Education and Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research. Mr William Blair Tennent, died at his home in Palmerston North on Sunday. Mr Tennent was Mayor of Palmerston North from 1956 to 1959. and was a member of Parliament for the city from 1949 until 1954. when he lost the seat to the late Mr P O. S. Skoglund. He returned to Parliament in 1957 as the Opposition memher for Manawatu during the Nash Labour Government, on the retirement of the late Sir Matthew Oram. He was elevated to Cabinet rank in 1960, but resigned his portfolios on health grounds in 1963 and retired from politics in 1966. Mr Tennent came to Palmerston North in 1922. He was soon actively involved in the community.' taking an interest in Presbyterian Church affairs. His first civic involvement was as a member of the West End School committee, on which he served for 14 years — 10 of them as chairman. He was also a member ol the Wanganui Education Board, and served as its chairman for 10 years. He was also chairman of the Nevi Zealand Education Boards Association for three years and was a member of the Palmerston North City Council from 1933 to 1941' Mr Tennent was born al Greymouth in 1898. where his father worked in the timber industry. He was educated at Greymouth Dis-

It net High School where he ■ was dux. and Otago UniverI sity. As Minister of Education. Mr Tennent was responsible I for introducing the threejyear course for primary' school teachers and the : i system of presenting each I I year a five-year building programme for universities. The' i bursary system for university students was also introduced! by Mr Tennent. as was the; I subsidy system for halls of residence Blair Tennent Hall, a residence for teacher training! college students in Palmers-I I ton North, is named in his! ' honour. He was also president of the New Zealand Dental Association and was appointed the external examiner for the Otago Dental School in 1939. a position he held until 1946. Mr Tennent was chairman of the New Zealand Milk Board from 1951 to 1956 and was district governor for Rotary in 1946 and was the first president of Heritage. He was also Chancellor of Massey University for a period. The acting Prime Minister! (Mr Talboys) today paid tribute to Mr Tennent. • “Blair Tennent's was a ‘remarkable record of service from 1933. when he was a city councillor, to when he| retired as Chancellor of Mas-1 ,sey University in 1969. “As Mayor of his city, as! .Member of Parliament and as member of Parliament he won 'Widespread respect for his dedication. his and his integrity. “The breadth of the conj cern for the country was l demonstrated by the wide (number of organisations with 1 which he was associated. We in the National Party regret the loss of a former friend ■and colleague and offer our (sympathies to Mrs Tennent and members of the family,” Mr Talboys said.