MEN OF MARK

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1933, Page 8

MEN OF MARK

EX-LE(HSLATOES

TRIBUTES IN COUNCIL

Tributes to the distinguished sei> tiees,rendered to Now Zealand by mem' bers and ex<incinbers of thd Legislative Council Who died during the recess Wore paid by members of tlib Council ytistor* day afternoon^ References wei'd made to the late Sir Thbinas Sidey, the Hon, G. At, Thomson, and the Hon. Wiremir Itikihana. ' ;; ' : Tiie Leader Of tho Council (Sir JameS Pair) said that the death of Sir Thomas Sldey had been a shock to all members of tiio Council, as last session lie had taken ail active part in tho dcliberationSi His lifo had been a most Useful one. He had been a man of consider^ able capacity, and had possessed a likeable character and disposition. His was a retiring; nature, ftflct it had bdett stated that ho had missed high' office on sev j oral Occasions because ho had prefdrfdd to i'oniain itt; thd background^ ffls service* to education had bdeh' outstanding, and his activities iil Dunddin had been innumerable. Sir Thomas hdd been, a member of the Hotise of Representatives for 27 years, and his .''long tei'to Of office had shown th 6 regard iii whieii ho had been held-by his constituents. As Leader of the I/egislativo Council and a. member of the Ward Government ho had filled' office with 4 conspicuous success. Of' all his activities) however* education had bden his great love, and he had been especially, proud of tho Otago University. Sir Thomas had beeii the tiioneer of the daylight saving legislation winch at fli-st had been received with ridicule^ but which was eventually adopted. Not sOOn would they look upoil his like again. ;, The St. Hon. Bit ifTrancis Bell said that they ftli fenienibei'ed the day four years ago When Sir Thomas had entered the Council as tho Leader* He had shown & qtliet Competence Which had Avon the perpn&r regard of his fellow councillors. T^o Summer Time Act, which had been passed (is a result of Sir Thomas Sidey'es advocacy, was being called by a grateful public the Sidey ;Act. By-.this .measure; lie would be remembered when his gi'tatSr Works had been forgotten. The Hon. J. A. Hanan said that Sir Thomas Sidey had .had initiative and constructive ability, but he^ had also Shown kindliness, understanding, aid a high Sense df honduf and, justice. 'Ho Had possessed that htfina'n tduch Which had ehdgardd him tfl all classes. HO Had supported every purpose which was iil thd interests 6f thd people or to the advantage Of his cOUntryy He had left a fine record and a sweet name. The Hon. D. BudM and the Hon. M. tfagan also paid their tributes to Sir. Thomas Sidey. ' A MAN OF SCIENCE. Sir James Pair said that the^late Mr. had had a distinguished career as a schoolmaster and as a scientist. As a teacher ho had ini-. pressed those who had studied under hint With a high sdnSe of honour and duty. He had servdd six -years in the House of Representatives and fourtdeii years in the Legislative Oouneil. He had been a. great pioneer and had rendered conspicuous service to the Dominion during a wonderfully fine and pure life. The Hbh. .■Sir" James Allen said that Otiigd owed ft great ddal to the edut catidttal work df A great scientist and a grdat ldvef of nature. His attitude tdWards dhiirdh wdrk was SUch that it had won for him a great name. The Hon. ft. Sc>tt and the Hctil. J. A. Hanan also spoke of" the diitstanding oiialitios of the late Mr. Thomson. . LEADEft OF MAORtIB. Sir James Parr said that the. late Hon. Wiremu Bikihana had been a member Of the Legislative Oouncil from 1923 to 1930! and had done find service bii behalf of tho Maoris. The" Hon. E. Moore said that Mr. Bikihana had been hekl in the highest respect by his colleagues.