NATIONAL PARTY NOMINEE: MR NESTOR’S' CAREER

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 October 1947, Page 2

NATIONAL PARTY NOMINEE: MR NESTOR’S' CAREER

Mr Martin Nestor, one of the National Party nominees for the' Westland by-election candidate, was born near Kumara in 1908. He received his primary education at Kokiri, on the Otira line, where his parents lived for many years, and later he attended the Greymouth State School and Technical College. He worked for * some time on a dairy farm at Kotuku, and then in the Lands and Survey Department in Hokitika, where he was stationed for five years, till his transfer to Nelson and then to Wellington. He passed his matriculation examination after leaving Greymouth, attending part time at the Hokitika HighSchool. He continued his studies while in Westland, passing the examination for admission to the New Zealand Society of Accountants, and, while resident' in Wellington, he obtained his Bachelor of Commerce, and later Master of Commerce degrees. All his studying was done at home, after working hours, and without the benefit of oral instruction. Public Service Career Mr Nestor has always taken a keen interest in public affairs. He was appointed a secretary of the Public Service Association in Wellington, and later principal secretary. He was a delegate to annual conferences of the association on several occasions. He was also secretary of the Wellington section of the Institute of Public Administration. During his 'official career, he was secretary of the Lands Development Board, secretary of the Dairy Loans Board, assistant secretary of the National Centennial Council, and assistant secretary of the National Historical Committee. While acting in the latter capacity, he helped considerably in the preparation of the centennial history of Westland. In 1940, Mr Nestor was transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department. He resigned in 1943, to become secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, and in 1944 he was ap - pointed director of information to the National Party, a post which he still holds. History Of Westland Mr Nestor has written extensively on economic and other matter ,s his efforts having been published widely, in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain. Most of his non-economic work has pertained to historical events m Westland, on which subject he has also given numerous broadcasts. He also took a keen interest in sport, and competed successfully in many meetings in Westland. He is a keen debater, and has had several successes in that sphere, having won cups for oratory and debating. He is a member of the Hutt Debating Club team, which is contesting the final for the Parliamentary Shield next m< Whiie resident in Hokitika, Mr Nestor married Miss Wild, daughter of the Itkte Mr Richard Wild. They