DEATH OF WELL KNOWN M.P.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9653, 19 November 1913, Page 5

DEATH OF WELL KNOWN M.P.

MR. GEORGE LAURENSON SUCCUMBS. AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS. A Press Association Message from Wei Imgton announces the death of Mr Geor™ Laurenson, M.P. for Lyttelton, which occurred at 4 o'clock this morning after a f,T v.* j ne . M - ian bad been confined to his bed for a week past, and at a late hour last ni«rhJ was reported to be lying in an exceeding critical condition at his lodgings in Hobson street. Dr. Mason, who had been attending Mr Laurenson, called in Dr. Collins in consultation, but their combined efforts were unavailing. Heart trouble was the cause of death.

The la,te Mr Laurenson was one of the best-known members of the House of Representatives. He was first/elected to the high position in 1899, and has held the Lyttelton seat ever since by large majorities. He was an ardent follower of the late Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward, and was held in esteem by all his fellowmembers for his gentlemanly manner and consistent advocacy of tho political views he enunciated. He was. particularly earnest in his advocacy of the leasehold, and was one of the few members of Parliament who retained to the last his decided views on the question. When Sir Joseph Ward resigned after the last election, and Hon. T. Mackenzie formed a Government, Mr Laurenson was one of the members who was included in the new Cabinet, his portfolios being Labour, Customs and Marine, while he was also Minister in Charge of Inspection of Machinery Department. Apart from his work in Parliament, Mr did valuable service for the community in which he.lived. He arrived with his parents from Scotland in 1876, and within a fortnight had entered the employ of Mr R. Forbes, of Lyttelton, a ship chandler. From that out his life was practically lived in Lyttelton. Eventually he entered into partnership with his employer as ship store merchants, and remained in that business till 1904. He was a member of the Lyttelton Borough Council for nine years, and a member of the Harbour Board for eight years, being chairman of that body for some time. Mr Laurenson was a prominent member of- the Presbyterian Church, and always took an active interest in the welfare of the congregation to which he belonged.