OBITUARY. MR. READER WOOD.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 45, 21 August 1895, Page 2

OBITUARY. MR. READER WOOD.

[BY TBLKQBAPH.— PBISS A3BOCIAT.ON.] Auckland, 20th August. Mr. Beader Gibson Wood died to-night, aged 74. [Mr. Beader Gilson Wood was born in 1821, and trained as an arohiteot and snr. veyor. He arrived in Auokland in 1861, and the northern insurrection breaking out in the following year ho was p'rosent as lieutenant of volunteer artillery at the storming of Heke's pah at Ohaeawai, and was mentioned in despatches for his gallant conduct. He resumed the practice of his profession, and from 1848 to 1856 he held the position of Inspeotor of Roads with a largo party of natives under him, afterwards being Depnty Surveyor-General. In 1818 he was eleoted member for Parnell in the Auckland Provincial Counoil, and in 1861 he was sent by Auokland City East to Parliament. There he became reoognised as one of the most eloquent BpeaVcrs in tbe House, a reputation Whioh he held throughout his career as a publio man. In his first year he took office as Colonial Treasurer in the Fox Ministry. On the 6th August, 1862, this Ministry went out of office ; but, with the exception of a brief interregnum of a fortnight, Mr. Wood held the office of Treasurer in the two succeeding Ministries — Domett and Whitaker-Fox-tffl the 24th November, 1864. The Finanoial Statement put before the House by Mr. Wood in the Whitaker-Fdx Government oontained the outlines of a soheme of military settlement, and the borrowing of a three million loan, with a view of finally disposing of the native difficulty. Mr. Wood, towards the close of 1864, went to England as Colonial Treasurer to negotiate for one million out of his three million loan, and he accomplished his object. In 1865 he resigned his seat for Parnell. In 1870 he was again eleoted for Parnell, which he continued to represent in -tho ABsambly for some years. He opposed the great borrowing scheme of Sir Julius Vogel with characteristic vigour and eloquence. In 1878 he again resigned his seat for Parnell, and took a trip to England on private affairs. On his return to Auokland in 1879, he waa eleoted for Waitemata. To Mr. Wood the oolony is indebted for the abolition of future Civil Servioe pensions, as he oarried a resolution to that effect in 1871. Mr. Wood has lived in retirement for the last 14 years.]