DEATH OF MR. KIRKBRIDE, M.H.B.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13326, 5 November 1906, Page 4

DEATH OF MR. KIRKBRIDE, M.H.B.

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. ' The ' electors .of Manukau; and bis many '' friends throughout the colony, will regret to learn of the death of Mr. M M. Kirkbnd*, M.H.R. for Manukau, which took place at R&wlingstone Private- Hospital, Grafton Road, yesterday It will ho remembered that shortly after..Mr. Kirkbride'« return from his Parliamentary duties, about fiv« week ago, owing to ill-health, his condition began to occasion grave anxiety, and he wit. conveyed from his home to Rawlingstone for constant surgical care, the nature of his ' trouble- being meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes of the brain, which was so acute as to cause fears of its proving fatal, Mr. Kirkuride's condition left but little room *> for hone, and he gradually sank, having good and bad turns, until Friday, when he ' I relapsed into unconsciousness, and he passed away yesterday afternoon shortly before one o'clock. Mr. Kirkbride was always a man of keen perceptive faculty, strong in debate, and only just before he was taken ill he was championing the cause of the farmers in the House. He was a man in the prime of life, being 56 years of age, and ol 6trong robust constitution. Mr. Kirkbride was born on August 13, 1848, at Ulleskelf, in Yorkshire, and re- . ; ceived his education in Yorkshire, but he early had a desire to cross the ocean and visit the young colonies in the southern hemisphere. This desire was fulfilled be- T fore he had quite, attained the age of 15 years, for ho arrived in Auckland by the ship Portland on July 23, 1863. His first employment in the colony was given him. by Mr. Alfred Bucklard at the East Tamaki, where cattle were befog landed for the use of the troops, which had to be stationed in tie? district at that time. The deceased only remained at this employment for a few months, and, togetliot with the remainder of his family, settled down at Littlo Omaha, . where the family carried on bush iarming for a number of years. In 1872 a move was made by the family to Mange-re, where a farm was taken up. *«o years later Mr. Kirkbride married, having attained the age- of 26 years. In company with his wife he proceeded to the Manawatu district, where a section of bush land was taken up, on part of what is now called the town of '. •- Ashurst. However, ho apparently had leanings for the Mangere district, for in 1879 '' he returned there from the Manawatu and purchased a farm, where he resided ever since. The deceased saw a good deal of the hard work incidental to taking up land in a new country, but he persevered until success crowned his efforts. Mr. Kirkbride always took an active interest in local government, and acted for some time in the capacity of chairman of the Mangere '< Road Board and the School Committee. He was also a member of the Public Cemetery Board and Domain Board, and the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association claimed his active attention and support. He acted -s president of the association for two years, and ably . represented that body on several occasions at the colonial conferences. The Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union also found in him a supporter. He also acted as president, and was a delegate to the first 'i■. colonial conference of the Farmers' Union, held at Wellington in July, 1901. At this gathering the deceased took a prominent part. At the general election for' the V; House of Representatives, held .in November, 1902, Mr. Kirkbride contested the Manukau constituency (in the Opposition interest) against the then sitting member and Speaker of the House, Sir Maurice O'Rorko (Government). He was successful by 244 iis votes, for he polled 238 r votes against his * able opponent's 2140 votes. The Manukau constituency at the last general election in December last again showed its confidence, , in Mr. Kirkbride, by electing him. His opponent was Mr. R. D. Stewart (Government). During his representation of Manukau he lias left his name on the Statute ' Books of th© colony, for he was the author of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives, and Mr. Kirkbride thus attained the distinction of getting a Bill through in . his first session. Quite recently he sue- >"W ceeded in getting passed an amendment" to" '-'A, the Valuation Act, to enable local bodies to K* appoint one of the assessors to the Valuation V Court. The agricultural interests of the colony owe a great deal to the deceased in many ways for his unceasing vigilance on their behalf in the, House. and .out of it. The funeral will take place to-morrow, - L leaving Ultimata at two p.m.