BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1307, 9 December 1911, Page 10

BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES

NEW MEMBERS, Tb.. fnllmviiig are some additional brief biographies, of new members: - Ml,'. T. W. K.IIODI:',S. Mr. T. W. IHiodcs (Thames) wa.s bnru nt Auckland. His father was nuo of the pionears of Ihe Thame., goldliebl. lln is an "Old Thames Boy," his school days having been spent nn the goldlields. Ho hn« resided til Coronmndel for 25 years, and is well known as the proprietor of tho C'oronuinrlol "Country News" and iu mining circles. Ho lui.s luid i onsiriorablo experience- in 'connection with local government, having served on Borough Council, Hospital Board, School Committee, School of Mines Council (president), Licensing Bench, etc. He was president of tho New Zealand Gold Jubilee Exhibition, held at Cnromandel in IflOl. He is a member of the Anglican Synod, nud holds tho rank of W,M. in the Masonic Order. Mt. Rhodes is a freeholder, nnd whilo pledging himself to support the Government, generally reserves the right to voto for tho retention of the freehold under any circumstances.MR. J. A. YOUNG. Mr. J. A. Young (Waikato) who is a dentist at Hamilton, is an Auckland boy, having boon born in this city in 1875. After loaving school he became n student under Mr. A. M. Carter, of Newton, with whom he remained about threes years. Subsequently ho went to Duncdin, ami in 1893 passed his dental examinations with a specially high commendation from tho examiners. After returning to Auckland ho look charge of Mr. Carter's practice, and also visited the country districts on his behalf. Early in 1804 ho began business in Hamilton on his own account, and has built up an extensive .practice. He has always taken a keen interest in political and literary subjects. He has been a member of tho Waikato Licensing Committee, chairman of tho Hamilton West School Committee, and a member of tho Hamilton Borough Council for some years. He unsuccpasfully contested tho lauranga soal against Mr. Heme's in190S. Mr. Young was elected Mayor of Hamilton in 1909, and ho still holds that position. MR. J. H. BRADNEY. Mr. J H. Bradney (Auckland West),' although a native of 'Staffordshire (Eng- 1 land), is practically an Aucklauder, ho having arrived here us- a bov of. tender years with his father and mother in 1E59. lie lived with his parents at Duck Creek (now Chelsea) for some vears, and for some time he attended tho'school nt Takapuna, then the only one on tho north side of the harbour. He left school at the early ago of nine'years and commenced the battle of life. At eleven years of ago he wont to work on a farm and subsequently turned his attention to store work. When the Thames goldlields broke out in 1869, ho went thither, but lulling to strike a Bonanza, ho became a sawmill and bush hand. ■ Ha alio followed the lifo of a seaman, and was for some time employed in the Eaipara pilot service as assistant pilot. Ho was afterwards successively employed in a sash and door factory, in a brick-yard, as a carter, and as a boatman by the Auckland Harbour Board. After that he started business oh his own account as a steamboat proprietor, and laid the foundation of tho present firm of Bradney and -Biiins. Mr. Bradney's experience of -public life, has up to the present, been confined to th« Auckland Harbour Board, 01 whicn ne has been a well-known member since 1907. He has been a .member of. tho Auckland Choral Society for over 20 years. Ho is also a first tenor in tho Auckland Lietlertafel aud a member of the Auckland Amateur Opera Club. MR. E. P. LEE. Mr. Ernest Page Lee (Oamaru) was born at Teignmouth, England, in 18112, and is consequently 49 years of age. He was educated at Cheltenham and London, and at the age of IS was articled to a prominent West of England firm of solicitors, loUowing the usual course of completing his articles with their London agent". Ho 'was admitted a solicitor of tho English Supreme Court in ISSj, and came to Now Zealand tho following year. Shortly after arrival he qualified as a barrister and solicitor, and commenced practico in Oamuru Two years later, on Mr. Hislop ioiuing tho Atkinson Ministry, Mr. Lee accepted the position ol managing clerk to Messrs. Hislop and Creagh, filling it for eight jcars. Ho then commenced practice with Mr. A. J. Grave and founded tho firm of Lee, Grave, and Grave Mr. Leo has held office as a borough councillor, has Had a short experience as a school committeeman, and for 25 years has been on the committee of the Oamaru Athenaeum He was one of tho founders of the North Otago Jockey Club, .and.avas one of the prime movers in the initiation of the weekly half-holiday, -which was obsorved in Oamaru before it was made mandatory by statute. J MR, C. E. STATHAM. .Mr. Charles Ernest StatbanV (Dunedin Centra ) is the eldest son of Mr. Charles" tfadneld." Statham, of Dunedin, public accountant, He was born at Dunedin m ISi5, and has lived iu the district now known as Dunedm Central electorate practically the whole of his lifo. He was educated at private schools, the William Mi cet School (now the High Street School) Dunedin, the Cathedral School, Christchurch, and the Otago Boys' High School, Dunedin, under Dr. Belcher. On.loavin" school ho had tho benefit of some years'' experience of commercial life, and was trained in his father's office as an fc countant. He then commenced the study of and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supremo Court in 1901 and as a barrister in 190 G. Leaving the service 1 of Messrs. Callan and Galloway, where he had been acting as managing- clerk'-for over two years, in 1904, he comniehced r fho : practice of his profession :'off. ihis'own account, and has now built-up''■(£-'consfd-' erable practice. Mr. Statham has always taken a keen interest in athletics, was for some' years a member and. some time treasurer of the Pirates Football Clnb. He has also been for many years an active member of the Otago Rowing Club and has held the. offices of committeeman' treasurer, and captain. He holds a seat on the Otago Rowing Association as vicepresident for tho Oamaru Boating Club Mr. Statham married iu 1905 a daughter of Mr. William Burnett, the present Mayor of Dunedin. Mr. Statham himself now holds a seat on tho Dunedin CirV Council'as. a representative -of High Ward. IN SECOND BALLOTS. The following are biographies of candidates who are in the second ballot:— MR. P. H. HICKEY. ' Mr. P. H. Hickey (Ohinemuri) was one of tho founders of tho New Zealand Federation of Labour, and for some time was secretary of that body. Ho has also been associated with the Socialist movement. Prior to taking office on tho Federation he worked as a coal miner on tho west coast of the South Island, and subsequently figured prominently in the Blackball .strike. Ho is sub-editor of the "Maoriland Worker," published in Wellington. MR. W. J. NAPIER. Mr. W. J. Napier (Waitematn) is not new to political life, he having been senior member for Auckland City from 1S9!) to 1902, Ho has had extensive experience in harbour board affairs, and I nas elected chairman twice in succession. At tho 1902 election he was defeated for ! Auckland City, Messrs. Witheford, Baunie and Kidd being elected. He did not contest a seat at the 1905 elections. As a barrister and solicitor he has been retained iu many important cases, and he .acted as l.iw adviser to 111.0 successive of Samoa, Malietoa, the elder, and 'Matkifa- Mr. Napier is of Irish birth, and arrived iu Auckland about 42 years ago as a boy. At first he attended St. Peter's Catholic. School in Hobson Street, and subsequently tho Auckland Grammar School, and became a matriculated student of St.. John's College. He began to take an interest in public affairs at an early age, and became a disciple of Sir Geoi'go Grey, who appointed him his solicitor. Mr. Napier has been prominently connected with many societies in Auckland, aud in 1900 ho organised a corps of garrison volunteers, of which he was elected captain. Ho is a Fellow of the Royal Colonial iMtlt'ito. Ho unsucceMtully contested the Waitomaia. teat ia 1808.

mi:. a lex. ma mils, Mr. Alex. Harris ,i) was lwn in l/onrlun in IH7K, and received bis education Uiojt. llu ,'irriiTcl in New ZoaI'ukl IR yours iiijo, willi lii's father. Mr. •'. .1. Harris, who is still resident, in Aur.klunii. Mr. Harris hits for pome years folt«ii\l'll ilie wcupMk.n of commercial traveller fur Miv-.tr*. Jl. A. Abbnlt end Co., Limited. He Ihis taken n prominent Interest in I'rirntlly ninety work, having reached llio highest, position possiblo in Now Zealand in Hid Ancient Order of Foresters, viz.. Past District Chief Haulier. He hits also lioen <i. member of Lodge United .Service, No. 10, Fr'.'em.-iwn.i. He has uhvuys Keen mi onthiir.in.slit: worker ill the No-License movement. Jin luis resided in Dovonparl and 'J.'.ik.'jpuna for thfi List uiiio Jefll'S. MR. H. CAMPBELL.' Mr. Hugh Campbell (Ha-wkc's Bay) 13 a ni.nholder residing at I'oukavM, and is one of the must respected and popular men in tho district. Ho is qnito a young man, nud 11 prominent member of the Huwko's Iky A. mid I*. Association. So fur, ho Ims not. taken 11 very active part in local or other politics. MR. R. R, DOUGLAS. Mr. Robert Rutherford Douglas (Duncdiu North) was born in Dunedin in 1881. Ho was educated at the Albany Street School under tho late Mr. J. L. Ferguson. He started life as a photographer, but relinquished this business in order to take up the tailoring trade. Mr, Douglas is now a master tailor in Frederick Street, Duncdin, and ha* been in business in Duncdin ou his own account for the last five years. He served four years in tho Duncdin Cyclo Corps, and when ho rcfiifrned from the company ho occupied the position of Bo.rircant. Mr. Douglas • unsuccessfully contested Duncdin South at the general election of 1803. He was elected to tho City Council for Leith Ward in 1909, and was re-elected this Tear. Mr. Douglas is a grandson of tho late Mr. n. L. M'Fadven, first townolerk of tho North-East Valley Boroush Council, and a son of Mr. J. S. Douglas, plumber, of Dunedin. MR. J. S. DICKSON. Mr. J. S. Dickson (Parnell) has lived in Auckland for the past twenty-six years. Ho entered tho drapery trado in his .young days, and for cloven years ho was in the employment of Messrs. Smith and Cnughey. Be acted as manager for Mr. George Fowlds for a similar period, and 'during the past four years ho Has been in business ou his own account He has taken a prominent part in friendly society work, and ho has been an active member of the Druids' Order for tho past twenty vears. He was district president of that order from 190G to 19(17. Ho was a member of the Remuera Road Board for eight years, and for three years was chairman of that body. Whilst occupying this position he was largely instrumental in securing the insertion in the Auckland Drainage Act of provisions conserving tho interests of the suburban bodies. He is nt present a member of the Auckland City Council, Auckland Drainage Board, and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Mr. Dickson takes a great interest in various forms of sport, and is at present president of the Auckland Rugby Loaguo (Northern Union), ciation, and vice-president of tho Auckland Lacrosse Association. Mr. Dickson stood as an Independent Oppositionist, pledged to vote against the Ward Gov« ■eminent on a no-confidence motion. MR. R. F. BOLLARD. Mr. R. F. Bollard CRagtan) is a son of Mr. John Bollard, who has represented Eden in Parliament for so many years past. He was born' at West Tatnaki 47 years ago, and was brought up at Avondale, where bis parents took up thoii abode when ho was only a fortnight old. Ho spent tho earlier yean; of his life on his father's farm, He qualified for public life first as clerk for eight or nine years to tho Avondale Road Board and as sccreto the Avondale School Committee for several years. He afterwards assisted his father in his business as a land agent and valuer. In 1900 Mr. Bollard went into business on his own account na a sawmiller at Taupiri, in partnership with his .brother-in-law (Mr. Bailey). He retired from the sawrailling business about two years ago, and settled down to farming at Tamahere in the Waikato. Mr. Bollard was a member of the Waikato County Council, Waikato Hospital Board, the Wnikato Central A. and P. Associations, the Waikato Racing and Hunt Clubs, and other bodies. He is a member of the Anglican Church, and has held various church offices at Avondale, Taupiri, and Tamahere. Ho has also been a member of the Auckland Diocesan Synod. MR. ALLEN BELL. Mr. Allen Bell (Raglan) is a native'of rscw Zcalnncrand of Irish parents, having been borri in Canterbury 41 years ago. In 1695 he went to South Africa, where ho took part in tho Knflir and Boer Wars, lie served through tho Matahele War with the Caartered Company's forces, and received the British-South African Company's medal. In the last Boer War he served under Colonel Plummer, and took l , 'V t , ,n , tnc operations culminating in tho relief of Mafoking, for which he received the Queens medal with three clasps. He returned to New Zealand in 1902, and settled down to farming pursuits in tho Waikato, near Hamilton. Mr. Bell has taken a prominent part as a member of various local bodies. Ho is also a vicepresident of numerous social and sporting clubs. He has also taken a great interest_m volunteering. He unsuccessfully contested tin, Wnikato seat against Mr". Grcenslado in 190 S. MR. J. T. JOHNSON. ?\ T tJ ! -\-?- •? oh »« ,n (Chalmers) was born at Hpkitika 111 IS6S, and was educated at larks School and tho Normal School, Duncdin. He started life as a messenger' ;in. the Dunedin Telegraph Office, and afterwards entered the railway service in tho locomotive branch, leaving there to hike up a position under the Mclbourno tramway Company. The freer air of the backblocks was more in keeping with his disposition, and ho spent some years in prospecting and mining in the backblocks ol Australia, occasionally vjirriiie. his experience with farm, station, nnd bush work, during the course of which he wis invo ved in the great strikes of that time, lie has taken the principal part in the development of the Waipori goldfield and now commands the largest and most important mining property there. Ho finished olf his mining experience with « study of the more technical subjects in Mils spare lime at the Otago School of Mines, and is recognised as amongst the toremost ol the southern mining men. MR. THOMAS FLEMING. ' Mr. Thomas Fleming (luvercargill) was 1 born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1848, and 6ailed for New Zealand with hii parents in ISG2 in tho ship Storm Cloud landing at the Bluff in December of that year. He was engaged in'fanning with his parents tor a number of vears, and experienced all the vicissitudes "of pioneering, tackling all kinds of work pertaining to a starting of an early settlement Early in the '70's. he commenced tho milling business, and eventually bean business in luvercargill, where he is still engaged in the same' trado. Starting from scratch (to use a,snorting phrase) lie succeeded with the'aid of his partner* in establishing one or the primary industries of the district, and in building up a substantial business, which has materially helped the development and prosperity of the town and district. For many years be has taken a more or less active part in local affairs. For a number of ycirs he was a member of (he Inveroarpi!] Borough Council, and he filled the po«ition of Mayor in ISS9-90. MR. F. H. SMITH. Mr. Francis Henry Smith (Wnitaki) is a New Zcalandcr, and 13 vears of age. He. was born ia Otago, and educated at Tiinaru, his parents having whilo he was a small child migrated to South Canterbury. There his father engaged in farming, and Mr. Smith adopted the same calling, being now a fanner in tho A]bury district. Ho has boon a member cf the Timaru High School Board ana: of the Timaru Harbour Board, besides having carved on school committees. Mr. Smith has on several previous occasions wooed the electors, having twice contested the Timaru scat with' Sir W. HallJones. At tho last general election ho opposed Sir W. J. Steward for Waitnki, and, though entoriug the field late, run the old member very closely, missing oloctiati by the uarroTv majority of 329 yotco, I