LATE SIR E. MITCHELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 April 1934, Page 7

LATE SIR E. MITCHELSON

A NOTABLE CAREER (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, 11th April. The death of Sir Edwin Mitchelson, aged eighty-eight, occurred this evening. He had not enjoyed good health in recent years and on Monday night a major surgical operation was performed. On Tuesday it was announced that his condition was causing grave anxiety. There was no improvement to-day, his death occurring in the evening. Sir Edwin rendered outstanding service to Auckland and the Dominion, playing a prominent part in politics, local government and civic activities. In Auckland lie was best known to the public by his association with the Auckland Racing Club, ol which he was president for many years. He was responsible for the establishment of the beautiful Ellerslie He is survived by Lady Mitchelson, one son and one daugher. A Minister of the Crown in three Governments aud a leading figure m the commercial life of the Dominion, Sir Edwin Mitchelson led a full and varied life in politics, commerce and in sport. Sir Edwin was the son of Mr Alexander Mitchelson, warehouseman, and was bom in Auckland in 1846. He served his time as a carpenter in Auckland and entered into business on his own account in 1870. He was the founder of the firms Mitchelson and Co. Kauri Gum and General Merchants, and Varnish Manufacturers, Auckland, and Mitchelson Bros., Sawmillers and General Merchants, Dargaville ' He was chairman of directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company, Ltd. In October, 1881, he was returned to the House of Representatives as a member for the electorate of Marsden, and three years afterwards he was reelected unopposed for the same constituency. In 1887, Sir Edwin, after arranging with Mr R. Thompson to stand for Marsden, went to the Eden district with the intention of crossing sword 3 with the Hon. J. A. Toie, Minister of Justice in the Stout-Vogel Administration, who, however, sought another electorate, where he was defeated bv Mr E. Withy. He represented Eden district until his retirement in 1896. During the years 188385, Sir Edwin was Minister of Public Works, Railways and Native Minister. From 1887 until 1891, he held the portfolios of Minister of Public Works, 'Railways and Native Affairs, and was 'Postmaster-General. During Sir H. A. Atkinson’s term of office as Premier, Sir Edwin had frequently, owing to his chief’s illness, to occupy the position of Acting-Treasurer and leader of the House. . For a short period he was a member of the Auckland Waste Lands Board, and was one of the first members of the Hobson County Council, of which he remained a member until he left the district. He was chairman and a member of the Remuera Roads Board. From 1903 to 1905, Sir Edwin occupied the position of Mayor of Auckland and was a trustee and vicepresident of the Auckland Savings Bank for many years. He was chairman and member of the Auckland Harbour Board from 1903 until 1907, and was a member of the first Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Between the years 1903 and 1908, he was a member of the Auckland University College and the Auckland Grammar School Board. For forty-seven years he was a committee member of the Auckland Racing Club and for thirty-six years was president of that body. He was created a Knight Comrnander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, in 1921 and was Knight of Grace of St. John of St. Jerusalem. From the year 1920 lie was a member of the Legislative Council.