OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 22 September 1911, Page 6

OBITUARY.

ME. F. E. FLATMAN. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Timaru, September 21. Mr. Flatman, ex-M.P. for Geraldino, died this morning at his farm at Woodbury. Ho had been seriously ill for the last few days. Mr. F. E. Flatman was born at Suffolk in 1843, and was a very old settler. Ho arrived in 1862, and engaged in sawmilling and etoro-keoping from 18G5 till 1802, subsequently taking up fanning. Ho served on various local bodies, including tho South Canterbury Board of Works, the Timnru Harbour Board, and tho Geraldine Road Board. In 1803 ho entered Parliament as member for Parc'orn, and from 180G till 1908 represented Geraldine in the House of Representatives, and during a portion of that period, from 100G, was Deputy-Chairman of Committees. Very general regret 'was expressed by members of Parliament yesterday when (hey heard the news of Mr. I'latman's. death. ' . . .

After tho formal business had been transacted ill tk? House of Eepresentatiyes yesterday afternoon, Sir Joseph Ward conveyed the news to the House, and paid a tribute to the memory of the late ex-member. He said ho was a man respected by all who knew him. 116 camo to this country in 18G2, and had experience in station life, store-keeping, sawmilling, and farming. He had served on various local bodies, and had been Deputy-Chairman of Committees in 1006. Ho had also been a member of the recent liivors Silting Commission. Sir Joseph Ward moved a resolution expressive of his faithful. services to the country,' and of sympathy with his family in their bereavement.

Mr. Massev said he regretle:l exceedingly that their late fe'llow-mombcr had passed away. He and Mr. l'latman were two of the band of new members who took' their seats in the House for {ho lirji time in 189 J- Mr. Flatman was a practical farmer, and an enthusiastic agriculturist. He was also an enthusiastic politician, and in the House was al ways one of the, first to bke his place and the last to leave it. His death would bo regretted by both sides in polities, inside and outside the House. lie suggested that the House should adjourn till 7.111! p.m., out of respect to the memory of the lato Mr. Flatman.

Sir Win. Steward bore testimony to the excellent-ifiualities of the late Mr. Flatman, and mentioned that ho had been for some time Whip to tho Liberal party. Mr. Nosworthy said Mr. Flatuian had been his opponent ai the last election in Ashburton, and ho could not with to meet a more just or a' fairer man. "No one," ho added, "feels more sorry at tho sad news conveyed to the Hotifc than I do myself."

Mr. Buxton. said ho had known the Into Mr. Flatman for 25 years. Ho had always acted honourably and uprightly, ami was respected by rich and poor Tho House adjourned till 7.30, on the motion of the Prime Minister. The Legislative Council also adjourned out of respect to the late Mr. Flalmau In moving a motion expressing the Coun oil's sense, of tho faithful wrviees rcu deral to New Zealand by Mr. Flatninu. and tenderiutr his family the Council's sympathy with thorn in their bereavement, tho Attorney-General paid a nigh tribute to tho deceased, in the loss of whom ho said New Zealand public lifo lo=t a valuable member. The motion was seconded by (ho Hon. W. C. F. Caincross mid was carried, after speeches hod been mado by the Hons. C. H. Mills and J. Anst'ey.

LIEUT.-COLONEL nAWKINS. Christchurch, Scutembor 21. Lieutwiant-C'iolinel Hawkin;, Officer Commanding the Cantorbiiry Dis ricl, died suddenly on tho Shirley golf links this afternoon from heart trouble. FTho late Colonel Hawkins was bom in Victoria in ISOI, and was therefore 50 vcars of age. He was, tor some years, manager of tho gasworks at lnvcrcargill. lie joined the volunteer cadets in 1877; was major commanding the Second Regiment Otaco Mounted Killcs, in 1902, and was 'appointed to the comniirad of the Canterbury Militia and Voluutwr District in December, 19004