FOR PARLIAMENT?

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1935, Page 6

FOR PARLIAMENT?

MR ALEXANDER MACGREGOR

LIKELY NATIONALIST CANDIDATE. WAITEMATA SEAT. It is probable that Mr Alexander Macgregor, who is well-known and exceedingly popular in Northland, will' stand for the Waitemata seat at the next election. He is at present considering standing as a Nationalist. Mr, Macgregor first became a resident of the North when he was appointed the headmaster of the Whangarei school, after having previously held the position of chief assistant in the Devonport school, which,, at that time,; was the largest in Auckland. His reputation as a school master preceded him to Whangarei, and his work for the ; children of this town far exceeded all expectations. Under his able control the school flourished, and became known for its high standard of work. However, Mr Macgregor’s' activities exceeded far beyond the domain of the school, and there was hardly a' movement for the common good in which he did not take an active part. He was also a keen sporting enthusi- * ast, and was prominent in such games as golf, bowls, swimming, boxing and Buglby football.

Considering Standing. While a resident of Whangarei, Mr Macgregor’s name was often mentioned as a likely political candidate, but his interest and enthusiasm for his work have always prevented him from accepting nomination. It is understood, however, that he now is seriously thinking of retiring from the teaching profession after 42 years in the service. An appeal has been made to him to offer himself at the forthcoming election and Mr Macgregor has promised to give the mat.ter his consideration. Should he agree to stand for Parliament, he is sure to poll well. As "president of the Whangarei Rugby Union, Mr Macgregor was untiring' in his efforts, and the same may be said about any other activity in which he was engaged. He was one of the first captains of the Mt. Denby Golf Club. Mr Macgregor was instrumental in making Mair Pool a popular bathing resort. He was also one of the founders of the Whangarei Boxing Association. . During the war M r Macgregor took a leading part in the raising of a large sum of money by organising various charities for the soldiers. In 1918, when the ’flu epidemic was raging in Whangarei, He worked night and day in order to give some assistance to the suffering. Always avoiding publicity, he has on innumerable occasions, helped various charities and private cases in distress. As the foundation president of the Primary School Swimming and Life Saving Association, Auckland, and as president of the Royal Life Saving Society,, he is warmly regarded by thousands of boys and girls throughout the province. Proposed War Memorial. Ever an ardent lover of New Zealand’s native flora, he encouraged, by word and deed, his fellows, young and old, to withstand the spoiler. The Whangarei school grounds, under his care, were truly a beautiful spot, and his work in street planting is evident today in the borough. Had Mr Macgregor’s scheme for a war memorial road on the far bank of the Hatea River, been carried out, it would have provided an asset of which Whangarei would have had just reason for pride. Had Mr Macgregor had his way, it would have now been an accomplished fact, instead of just an idea in the minds of the town planners. Several well known residents were willing, to aid the project, by giving a chain wide strip through their properties, in order to perpetuate the memory of those . who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. “The news that Mr Macgregor is likely to Stand-for Parliament is welcome indeed,” said a resident of Wha-

ngarei today. “I have known Mr Macgregor for many years and the best way to describe him is that he is a 100 per cent. man. At all times he has done his best, not only for the child in school, but also to teach that child in such a way so as to give him an opportunity to do his best when a man. It has not merely been a question of education with him. He has had the welfare of every child at heart. He is the ideal type of man to stand for Parliament. He is very thorough and capable. He is not a dreamer, but a keen intellectual citizen, in whom the people place their confidence. “I am certain that should Mr Macgregor enter Parliament he will not only- go far as a representative for the constituency but that he will also go far as a statesman.”