OBITUARY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 304, 8 December 1931, Page 8

OBITUARY

SIR JOHN LUKE. Wellington, Dec. 7. The death occurred late this afternoon of Sir John Luke, aged 73, for many years member of Parliament, and Mayor of Wellington for eight years, including the War period. I-le was defeated at Wellington North at the 1928 general election, and stood again for the last election although opposed by the official Coalition and Labour candidates. Under order from his doctor he had not taken part during the campaign, depending upon the newspapers and pamphlets for making his policy known. The late Sir John Pearce Luke, C.M.G., J.P., M.1.M.E., was born in Cornwall, England in 1858. In 1880 he married a daughter of the late Mr H. A. McGregor, of New Zealand. There were four sons of the marriage, one of whom died. Sir John was educated at Penzance, and left that town at the age of 16 years, coming to New Zealand. For 35 years he carried on in business as a mechanical engineer with his late father and brothers, as Messrs S. Luke and Co., Ltd. He carried out many important works, both marine and mechanical, and took an active part in promoting industry in New Zealand. For many years Sir John was president of the New Zealand Industrial Association. He was elected a councillor for Wellington City, and represented Wellington North in Parliament from 1918 till 1928. The late Sir John Luke was also chairman of the New Zealand Ironmasters’ Association for many years Sir John and Lady Luke celebrated their golden wedding on November 25 last year. Sir John was knighted in 1921, having previously been honoured with tho C.M.G. His wife. Lady Luke, C.8.E., who survives him, has a fine record of work in public and social affairs, and during the war did notable work for the welfare of troops. She is prominently associated with many organisations. MR. R. W. SHALLCRASS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Dec. 8. Well known in Wellington as a follower of all kinds of sport, Mr. Robert Wm. Shallcrass. of 26 Newman Terrace, died suddenly in the city last evening. He was in the vicinity of the General Post Office at about 20 minutes to 6, and not feeling too well he went into a nearby shop, requesting that he might sit down for a while. He had not been there long before he expired. The late Mr. Shallcrass had been suffering from heart trouble for some time. Death was due to heart failure. Mr. Shallcrass was born in Nelson in 1870, and was educated at Nelson College. After leaving college he was employed successively in different offices in Nelson, and was appointed manager of the Alpine Extended Gold Mining Company in August, 1895. He later came to Wellington, and was engaged as an auctioneer, having a business situated in Willis street, near where the Windsor Hotel now stands. He is best known for his services to the cause of sport in New Zealand, and for many years was secretary to tho N.Z. Sport) Protection League. He was a member of the Thorndon Bowling Club, and was secietary to the Wellington Centre of the N.Z. Bowling Centre. He was a very keen and enthusiastic cyclist, and in company with his daughter, made several very extensive tours of both the North and South Islands.