OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18026, 27 February 1922, Page 7

OBITUARY.

VISCOUNT HARCOURT. INQUEST TO BE HELD. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Reed. 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 24. The death occurred to-day of Viscount Harcourt, former Secretary of State for the Colonies, at the age of 59 years. Lord Harcourt was found by his valet dead in bed this morning. He had been chatting with his wife and family till midnight. He had suffered from a weak heart for a considerable time. It is a coincidence that his father was found dead in precisely similar circumstances. Various rumours are afloat regarding Lord Harcourt's death and preceding events. His family doctor had not attended him for a month previously, as Lord Harcourt wis in good health though sometimes depraved. The indications are that death was due to heart failure The doctor has since consulted the coroner, who lias decided to hold an inquest. Viscount Harcourt was the eldest son of the late Sir William Harcourt, ono of the great Parliamentary figures of the Gladstonian Liberal period. He was bora in 1863, and became his father's private secretary at the age of 18. Though thus engaged in politics from his youth he did not enter Parliament until 1904 when 41 years of age. He was First Commissioner of Works from 1905 to 1910, Colonial Secretary from 1910 to 1915, and again First Commissioner of Works from 1915 till the fall of Mr. Asquith's Government in 1916. In both offices he proved liim?elf a capable and diligent administrator. In the House of Commons he was one of the most popular speakers of the day, and the cry, " Harcourt up," would invariably fill the benches. He was essentially a party man, and to Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman and later to Mr. Asqiiith was a most loyal lieutenant. Tn 1916 ho was raised to the peerage the old family viscountcy being revived" in his person. He married in 1899 an American lady, the daughter of the late Walter H. Burns, of New York, and had one son and three daughters.