OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 17367, 1 June 1920, Page 7

OBITUARY

PR MORRISON: CHINA'S COUNSELLOR, Press Association —By Telegraph—CV/pyrigiifc. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 31. The death is announced of Dr George Ernest Morrison, political adviser to the Chinese President. j ' The Times.' j Dr Morrison died at Sktmouth after a j lingering illness. He was occupied to the last in carrying out work for the Chinese Government from his sick room. [fifty-eight years of age, and looking younger, the late Dr Morrison was a giant for sheer hard work on any task that won his quick sympathy and lively enthusiasm. His career as journalist and diplomatist gave wide scope for the exercise of both, find drew heavily upon his strength. Following a solid training at Geelong College and Edinburgh University, he early showed the temperament that sends men'into the far places of the earth to write of many things. In 1832-83 he walked across Australia from the Gulf to Melbourne. A few months later he visited New Guinea, and was speared by the natives. He next went to Einbuvgh, where the spear-head was extracted from his body, and graduated M.D. The East called him and held him. In 1894 he crossed overland from Shanghai to Rangoon, acquiring a knowledge of languages and lore as he travelled among many different peoples. ' The Times' engaged him as their resident special correspondent in China, and for many years his sane observations on Far Eastern. ? [fairs made hi 3 name at home and abroad. He was in Peking during the siege of the foreign Legations, from June-August, 1900, where ho was reported to have been killed. He was present at the triumphal entry into Port Arthur, January, 1905. In 1907 he crossed China from Peking to the French border of Tonquin. He represented ' The Times' on the Portsmouth Peace Conference. He rode from Honan City, in Central China, across Asia to Andijan, in Russian Turkestan, a distance of 5,750 miles, in 175 davs, 1910. He held the First Class Order* Excellent Crop (China). For the past decade Dr Morrison was the trusted adviser of the Chinese Government. He was attached to the Chinese Delegation to the Paris Peace Conference, and rendered excellent service to China. During the war he visited New Zealand, and \vhile_ in Dunedin was the guest of the Otago Jixpansion League. Bv his death China has lost one of- her best friends.] Mr F. J. Prichard, editor of the Launceston ' Examiner,' who was on a holiday visit to Sydney, accoinpaukd by his wife and daughter, died suddenly on the night of May. 19. Recently Mr* Prichard had not been in good health. Advised by his doctor in Tasmania to have at least a month's rest and change, he "went to Sydney. Just over-a week before his. demise he appeared in about average health, though for the first time in his life he said the medical profession had discovered that lie had a '"heart." For over 30 years Mr Priehard was connected with the Tasmanian Press, first in Hobart and afterwards in Launceston. Sinco he succeeded to the editorship of the Launceston ' Examiner,' a score of years or more ago, he devoted himself chiefly to the politics of his State and to the poli- | ticnl movements of the Federation. j Manawatu loses one of its most pictur- | esque and loyal Native chiefs with the j death of Hare Rakena Te Awe Awe, head I of the Rangitane tribe, of the Eangiotu 1 district, ihe deceased, who died recently ! after a four-months' illness, was a fine ! type of Maori, prominent with his tribe ! in fighting for the Government against the unruly rebels of the early days, when he : was awarded the New Zealand war medal | for his services. Deceased, who was a i widower, was a son of Wiremu Kingi, ] chief of the Rangitanes, and will be suc-- ■ needed in tho chieftainship by his wellknown son, Manamaroa Te Awe Awe. A member of a well-known Auckland family, Mr Vincent F. .Kerr Taylor, oied at YVainuuiku. He was for about 10 years a member of the Waitemata County Council, of which he was chairman for two_ years, and was also a director of the Kaipara Dairy Company. A very old end respected' Nelson resident passed away in the person of Mr J V. Cooke, at the advanced age of 84 years Born in Gloucester in 1836, Mr Cooke came to Nelson in ihe ship Gol- ! conda, arriving on Christmas Eve, 1859. | He was one of the oldest freemen of Gloui tester, having trained his freedom by serving seven years' apprenticeship as a nainter to a freeman of the city. Mr* Cooke jo'ned the Oddfellows before leaving England, mid continued to take a prominent part in Nelson, of which district he was Grand Master in 18S0. The death is announced of Mr John I Coleman, who had been a resident of j Gisborne since 1878. He was for 26 years deputy assignee in bankruptcy in | Gisborne. He was an original member I and a former president of "the Gisborne j Bowling Club, and had taken part in ; many tournaments in the North Island.