THE HON. A. J. MURDOCH

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1930, Page 12

THE HON. A. J. MURDOCH

The Hon. A. J. Murdoch is well fitted for the portfolio of Agriculture by virtue of long experience as a farmer and a breeder of pedigree Jersey cattle. He was born at Onehunga in 1877, his father being a well-known railway servant in the North Auckland district. In his oarJy years Mr. Murdoch was a school teacher, entering tiro profession at the age of fifteen, arid serving successively at Onehunga, Northcote, Hikurangi, Mata, and Buakaka. While resident at.Ruakaka, in the Whangarci district, he took up land, which ho worked in conjunction with his school duties, arid he retired from departmental service in 1919, since when he has devoted himself wholeheartedly to his agricultural interests. He • also possesses a second farm at Whangarei. Shortly after his resignation from educational duties, Mr. Murdoch contested the Marsden seat against Mr. F. (now the H.orf) Mander, and was defeated by a narrow margin of votes. At the following General Election in 1922 he succeeded in gaining the seat, his opponent on that occasion being Mr. W. Jones (Keform). In 1925 Mr. Jones turned the tables on Mr. Murdoch, only to be beaten again by him at the last-Gen-eral Election. When tho United Party assumed the Treasury benches Mr. Murdoch was appointed Chief Government Whip, as well as chairman of the Public Accounts and Finance Committee and a member of the House Committee. He had served as a member of the Native- Affairs Committee when he was previously in tho House. Mr. Murdoch was a member of the executive, of tho National Party from 1922 until 1925, and also was ono of the National Party delegates in connection with tho fusion negotiations in 1925. In local affairs in the AVhangarei district ho has played a prominent part for many years. He was the instigator in 1910 of the- canal scheme from Whangarei Harbour to tho Euakaka. Eiver with the object of giving an outlet for the produce raised in the district. When this scheme was abandoned in favour of a light railway .project' Mr. Murdoch was secretary of the Light Railway Committee. ' After further negotiations Mr. Murdoch was instrumental in arranging with the Public Works Department a loading scheme in lieu of a proposed railway, and this has now been carried into effect, the district being well served by a bitumen road. Mr., Murdoch has also occupied tho presidency of the Whangarei ©hamber of Commerce, ana has sat as a luonibei- of j

the Whangarei Hospital Board for somo years. A keen sportsman, he represented Whangaroi as a Rugby halfback in 1898, and in 1920 was captain of tho Whangarei hockey representative team which won the Whito Horse Cup.