OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 15344, 19 November 1913, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR G. LAURENSON, M.P. [Pirn. Uxitkd Press Association*.] WELLINGTON, November 19. Mr George I.aurenson. member for Lyttelto>i, died this morning. Mr _Laurenscn was born in Edinburgh in 18or, and spent his life in tho Shetland Islands, whore his father had a business. 'J here he received his education, partly at the usual Scotch parish schools and partly from private tutors. When 17 years of age he went to Glasgow to a business for a year, and then rejoined his family, who wore leaving tor New Zealand. Mr Laurenson, sen., having experienced business reverses, which caused him to decide on starting life afresh in a new country. On landing m Lyttelton he war, 18 years old, the eldest of a family of 10 brothers and sister.s. His fi r ?t_ start in New Zealand was as a junior clerk in the present firm oi Robert Forhe-o and Co., Limited. With that firm he was connected for 24 years, selling out his interest m 1904. He entered public life first over 21 years ago by becoming member and chairman of the Lyttelton School Cornnittce. Ho was then returned to the Lyitcltou Borough Council, and enteral Parliament in 1599 on the

death of the- late Mr John Joyce. He was returned to Parlioment five times in succtiiion as member for Lyttelton by an average majority of over L6CO votes', his majoiity at the last election being a record one—viz.. oyer 2.000. For two "sessions he was Chief Whip for the Liberal partv. Ho was Minister of Railways in the. Mackenzie .Ministry of 1912. Tho late Mr Laurenson was a member of the Lyttelton Harbor Board for many years, and chairman for two years. He was always strongly Radical in hi;- politics, especially on the question of land monopoly. Sound land legislation and practical education were, it was his contention, the hope of tho future. He was a Presbyterian, and an elder of that Church. The- deceased leaves a widow and eight sons and daughters.