LOSS OF VALUED MEMBER

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4815, 12 March 1918, Page 6

LOSS OF VALUED MEMBER

DEATH OF THE LATE MR. 3. BROWN. appreciation BY HARBOR • BOARD. 'When the meeting of the Harbor Board commenced yesterday afternoon, and before any 'business was taken, the acting chairman (Mr. G. Smith) referred to the death of one of the Board’s members, Mr James Brown. Mr. Smith said he was very pleased when he learned that >lr. Brown had been appointed as Government nominee on the Board, and would have been very pleased to have seen him in his seat to-day, but illness had overtaken him and death had removed him. He was sure he was voicing the sentiments of all the members when ho expressed deep regret at his death and his absence meant a great loss to the Board. Mr. Brown amd the speaker had. been associated toi many years, and Mr. Brown had carried out his duties faithfully and well. He took a deep interest m harbor matters and in everything ■which meant for the betterment of the district. Mr. Brown had given valuable assistance to the Board! and other local bodies with which ho was connected, and ho regretted his passing very much. He moved that a letter of condolence be sent to, his widow- and family. Mr. J. W. J- Preston, in seconding the motion, said the Board had sustained a loss which words could not adequately express. He had been associated with the late Mr. Brown for two years as a member of the Board, and always found him to he the essence of integrity and uprightness, and was honest in his convictions. The speaker said he found a sense of satisfaction at Mr. Brown’s appointment as Government nominee, and was looking forward to a period of usefulness for him where his mature experience in harbor matters would be valuable. Mr. Brown in his connection with local bodies always had a .keen realisation of his responsibilities, and they as a body were poorer, for they would lose his practical knowledge and advice in dealing with the difficulties that were before them. He felt sure that it must have been with a sense of satisfaction that he realised that the attitude he had taken up had been vindicated and that the principle that he fought, for had been recognised by the public before liis removal from this planet. Mr. J. Tombleson supported the motion. He had not had the pleasure of sitting with Mr, Brown at the Board table, bnt he had been looking forward to so doing. Mr. IV. 0. Long said that he had not had the pleasure of sitting with Mr. Brown at the Board table, but it was .with great satisfaction that he learned of his appointment as a member of the Board, and was looking forward with much pleasure to meet him. He had read of Mr. Brown’s usefulness in this district and had been impressed with his deep sincerity, which had won for him the respect of the people whom be represented. Mr. Brown had worked whole-heartedly for the good of this district. Mr T. Holden said he had sat with Mr Brown for a good number of years on tbe Harbor Board and upon the Hospital Board. His heath was a great loss to the Harbor Board. He had worked whole-heartedly for 1 the interests of the Board and for j other local bodies, and whatever rate- j payers he represented on local bodies j lie had represented earnestly. His j death was a great loss to many local j bodies. S Mr T. Quirk said he fully endorsed ? what other speakers had. said; his loss was a great loss to 'the _ Harbor Board and to other local bodies with which he had been connected. He was absolutely conscientious and sincere and was a great worker. It must have been a sense of consolation to his family that the good work done was fully recognised by the members of tbe Harbor Board and other local bodies in the district, and the public generally. ' Mr A. M. Lewis, in endorsing toe remarks of the other speakers, said lie had known Mr Brown for many years and had followed him _ closely and had always found him wellmeaning and thoughtful. It i\as with deep regret that he learnt of his death and the Harbor Board had lost the services of a capable, clever man. Dr Collins said he, too, could endorse all that the previous speakers had said. He had been closely associated with the late Mr Brown professionally and socially and’ upon local Bodies." He was with him in lus lastmoments and could say that he met the end fearlessly and courageously and kindly to those who were with him. It was one of those ends which loft a deep impression upon those who were there; a strong man passing as one would like to pass as though his duty had been done. His last moments were taken up with the work of various local bodies and Ins last few words concerned the members of the Board with whom he would never sit again. He was an honest true, good faithful man. Mr H. White also spoke, adding hjs tribute to the others already given. . .. The motion was carried in silence, the members remaining standing, respecting tbe memory of one who had been with them for so long.

In addition to the public duties so ably carried out by the late Mr Brown and referred to in yesterday s issue the deceased gentleman was, at the time of his death, chairman of the Gisborne Fire Board, a position which he had occupied for some time and which ho had filled with credit. He had also been a- member of the Defence Committee, and here again he was given an opportunity to work for the betterment of others, an portunity which he seized: with botu hands, his connection with the Committee being only for the best, the Committee and its ministrations benefitting by his beneficial assistance.