OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 133, 7 June 1915, Page 8

OBITUARY

HON. E. C. J. STEVENS, M.L.C. The Hon._ E. C. J. Stevens, M.L.0., died at Christchurch on 'Saturday night. Deceased, who had been connected with the political life of New Zealand for close on forty years, was the youngest son of the late Rev. W. E. Stevens, rector of Salford. Oxfordshire, England. He was born on 18th October. 1R37, and pducated at Marlbiough College and tho Royal Agricultural College, Ciienctster. When he was 21 years of age he came to Lyttelton in the ship Zealandia, and for many years was a member of the well known firm of Messrs. Harinan and Stevens, Christchurch. In 1863 jie entered public life, and became a member of the Executive of. the Cantarhurj Province. He retired three years later, whon Mr. W. S. Moorhouse became Superintendent, and was returned unopposed _to the House of Re* preservatives as member for Selwyn. At the following General Election he contested the fiume seat a« si, Krpctradpt, nnd was defeated by a single vote. In 1876, he stood for Christchurch City, and was returned at the head of the poll, his colleagues being the Hon. E Richardson and Mr. W. S. Moorhouse. Oil the election following the dissolution 'of Sir George Grey's Government Hi 1879. Mr. Stevens was again elected member for Christchurch. At the close of that Parliament he accepted a seat in the Legislative Council, being appointed on 7th March, 1(382, nnd sat there until the end of last session. From Bth October, 1887, to 24th January, 1891, he was a member of the Atkhuon Administration without portfolio. New Zealand is indebted to th» tate .Ur. Stevens for originating the, Public .Trust Office, and he opened tlm new buildings on Lambton-quay some years ago. In Parliamentary life he was an acltnow ledged authority on financial and business matters; he always approached the consideration of_ public affairs from a commonsense point of view, and his sane and businesslike outlook always secured for him an appreciative and attentive hearing. In his younger days he was a prominent cricketer. MR. 'FRANK MUSGROVE. (Received June 7, 10.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Obituary. — Mr. Frank Musgrove, theatrical manager. [Mr. Frank Musgrove was the maiu ager of the Nellie Stewart Company which played here last Easier, and up till then had not been in Wellington for seven years. Previously he was here as manager of the original " Fatal Wedding Company, introduced by Messrs. Meynell and Gtinn. Mr. Musgrove was abrother of Messrs. George and Harry Musgrove, both well-known members of the theatrical profession on the managerial side.]