MR R. E. HORNBLOW

Northland Age, Volume 24, Issue 47, 19 March 1925, Page 7

MR R. E. HORNBLOW

A PERSON AL SKETCH. Mr. R. E. Hornblow, who is contesting the Bay of Islands seat at the coming election as a Liberal-Labour candidate, was born in Wellington in 1871 and ! educated at Greytown. in the Wairarapa. After leaving school he served his time as a compositor in the office of the Wairarapi "Standard”, afterwards owning and conducting the Mangaweka “Settler” and “North Auckland Times.” Mr. Hornblow has had a wide experience in public life, being at present Mayor of Dargaville, President of the North Auckland Progress League, executive officer of the Kaipara Chamber of Commerce, and of the N. Z, South Seas Exhibition, the Auckland Railway Leagti e and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.

In the field of politics Mr. Hornblow has also had a wide experience. At last election he contested the Kaipara seat against the Hon J. G. Coates, and although defeated by a substantial majority, he defeated the Minister in the chief centre of the electorate—Dargavillc. Right down the years Mr. Hornblow has adhered unswervingly to the principles laid down by the late Richard John Seddon. Twenty nine years ago, then a young man of 25 years, and at the time of the Liberal-Labour federation, Mr. Hornblow was asked to stand in the Labour interests for Wellington City. As his standing would split the vote he was asked by Mr. Seddon to stand down in the interest of Mr. George Fisher, who was elected. Mr. Hornblow was then offered a seat in the Legislative Council, which he declined, preferring to get into the House of Representatives. At a later dale Mr. Hornblow was an unofficial LiberalLabour candidate for Rangitikei, being defeated by Mr. Remington, the official Liberal-Labour candidate. His next contest was at Orua, where he put up a good fight against Mr. Guthrie and then at Eden, where he kept the Hon C. J. Parr busy. Mr. Hornblow is a good platform man and has a good deal of ability. To those not obsessed by party politics his entry into the local contest is welcome, and he received much encouragement during his visit to the electorate last week, and particularly at Hikurangi, where his sympathies towards sane labour are known and appreciated. Mr. Hornblow's farming interests are at Rangatira, in the H okianga County.