OBITUARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1936, Page 2

OBITUARY

SIR WILLIAM HALFTONES. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, June 19. The death occurred at his home, Burnell Avenue, Thornclon, Wellington, to-day, of the Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones. M.L.C. The deceased, who used to represent Timaru in Parliament, was a former Premier of New Zealand, and also was High Commissioner at London. His funeral will take place from St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, at 2 p.m. oh Sunday. MR. SAVAGE’S TRIBUTE. WELLINGTON, June 19. “He is perhaps remembered chiefly as the last surviving member of the Seddon Ministry,’’ said the Prime Minister (Mr. .Savage) in a tribute to the late Sir William Hall Jones tonight. “He was a most conscientious and hard-working Minister, and a thoroughly honest administrator. He had a reputation for fearless expression of his own opinions, and endeared himself to friends and political foes alike by his great honesty and unassuming manner, and perhaps also by his light-hearted philosophy of life. 'The older generation in New Zealand will no doubt recall many of his achievements unknown to me. and honour him in his passing, as that of an old friend as sincerely as I do.”

■ Hon. Mark Fagan, Leader of the ■ Legislative Council, said: On behalf > of Members of the Legislative Coun- • nil, I wish to express sincere and - heartfelt sorrow at the passing of Sir I William Hall Jones, iiis public career was characterised by the highest . sense of public duty. He never hesitated to state his opinions and never . lost his sympathy for the under dog. i He was a great New Zealander, and the Legislative Council is the poorer for his loss.” Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones was ■ born at Folkestone, Kent, in 1851. He was educated at public schools. Arriving in Now Zealand in 1875, he settled at Timaru. and worked at his trade as a carpenter. lie became a member of the Timaru Borough Council and the Levels Road Board. In 1890.' he became Member of Parliament. for- Timaru, and represented that, constituency until 190,8. He was appointed one of the Liberal Whips [in 1891. but resigned in 1893. h’is ideas not conforming to those of his political leaders, and he constituted in his own person what was known as-the “Fourth Party.” For three jenrs lie sat alone, criticising the Government policy. In 1896. he accepted a seat in the Seddon Administration. and, on rhe death of Mr Seddon in 1906, Sir William Hall-Jones became Premier. He resigned this position on the return to New Zealand of Sir Joseph Ward, and assumed portfolios in the Ward Ministry. From 190 S until 1912, Sir William was High Commissioner for New Zealand. Returning to New Zealand in 1913, he was appointed to the Legislative Council by the Massey Government, and was reappointed in 1920.

'Hie flag flew at half-mast, to-day, from the Greyniouth Post Office, as a tribute of respect to the late Sir William.