SIR ARTHUR MYERS DEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19455, 11 October 1926, Page 12

SIR ARTHUR MYERS DEAD.

A BRIEF HEART ATTACK. END OF NOTABLE CAREER. GENEROUS PUBLIC BENEFACTOR SERVICE IN WAR CABINETCabled advice was received in Auckland yesterday of the death of Sir Arthur Myers in London on Saturday after a brief heart attack. The news of his death will be received with the deepest regret by a host of friends in New Zealand and in all parts of the world. Born at Ballarat, Victoria, on May 19, 1867, Sir Arthur came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of three. EJis father settled in the Thames district and on his death his mother removed to Wellington, where Sir Arthur was educated at the public school and later at Wellington College. At the age of 16 Sir Arthur entered the employment of his late uncle, Mr. Ehrcnfricd, and subsequently took over the management of the Auckland branch of the business of Ehrcnfricd Brothers, brewers. On the death of Mr. Ehrcnfricd,- Sir Arthur, as his successor,, completed the amalgamation of Ehrcnfricd Brothers with Messrs. Brown, Campbell and Company, forming , the Campbell and Ehrenfried Company, of which ho was managing director. It was in this capacity that Sir Arthur displayed his business ability and administrative powers, and it was largely due to him that the company was such a success. Ho was chairman of the Cornwall Park Trustees and of the Sir John Logan Campbell estate. At one time, also, ho was a director of the New Zealand Insurance Company and the Auckland Gas Company, and was a past president of the Auckland Commercial Travellers' Association. Progressive Policy as Mayor. In 1905 Sir Arthur was elpcted Mayor of Auckland and held the position with outstanding suftcess for four years. * Ho pursued a vigorous and progressive policy. Under his Mayoralty the municipal staff was reorganised, resulting in greatly increased efficiency, while the council entered upon numerous important municipal undertakings, including a comprehensive drainage scheme, electric light and power installation, and the erection of the Town Hall, (ho abattoirs and Grafton Bridge. In addition he commenced a strong movement in favour of Greater Auckland.

At the end of February, 1909, Sir Arthur resigned the Mayoralty and shortly afterwards left on a trip to England. Before his departure a gathering of 10,000 citizens assembled in Albert Park to bid him farewell. He was presented with an address on behalf of the public of Auckland and also one from the suburban local bodies expressing appreciation of his services to the community. A similar address was presented to him by the members of the City Council and municipal staff. Sir Arthur' returned to New Zealand in April, 1910, and two months later successfully contested a by-election for the Auckland East seat. lie represented that constituency continuously until his voluntary retirement in the early part of 1921, when he accepted a seat as New Zealand representative on the London board of the National Bank of New Zealand. Portfolios as Minister, Sir Arthur was a member of the Mackenzie Cabinet in 2.912, holding the three important portfolios of Finance, Railways and Defence. He was also a member of the National Cabinet during the war years, acting as Minister of Customs, Munitions and Supplies, and Pensions and, at various periods, Finance, It is interesting to note, in view of recent legislation, that Sir Arthur Myers formulated a Town Planning Bill prior to the session of 1911 and submitted it to the city and suburban municipal, authorities. He introduced the bill in Parliament but did not carry it beyond the first reading. Sir Arthur was a keen/Supporter of the volunteer movement, and was for some time major in the Auckland Infantry No. 1 Battalion and later lieutenant-colonel and officer commanding the New Zealand Motor Service Corps. During the South African War ho took a leading part in the despatch of the Fourth Contingent from Auckland, being president of the Citizens' Committee. In 1897 Sir Arthur was appointed a justice of the peace.

A keen interest in almost all forms of athletic sports made for Sir Arthur numerous friends in sporting circles throughout New Zealand. He had occupied the positions of president of the Auckland Bowling Club and the Northern Bowling Association, as well as filling tho office of president of numerous clubs in connection with cricket, football, boxing and yachting. In his younger days he was a representative footballer and swimmer, and gained some prominence as an oarsman. Up to the time of his death he was an active player of golf, bowls and tennis, y aud was also a keen angler. Handsome Gifts to the City, By his valuable gifts to the. City of Auckland, Si/* Arthur well earned tho gj-atitude of its people. He donated valuable pictures to tho Auckland Art Gallery from time to time and in 1911 presented the clock now erected in the tower of tho Town Hall. In 1913 he made a gift to the city of the area of eight acres now known as Myers Park, but at that time mostly slum land almost in tho heart of Auckland, The Free Kindergarten which he erected in brick on this fine site is the most scien-tifically-designed institution of its kind in Australia or Now Zealand. In addition, ho built in the park a school for backward children. His interest in education was further indicated by the provision made by him a few years ago for tho annual senior and junior Myers history prizes to scholars attending the Auckland Grammar School. Froiii time to time ho made gifts of' land to Thames for various purposes, including sites for the Technical SchooJ, church, and for beautifying tho town. In 1923 ho made a gift of £SOOO toward tho inauguration of a Karitane Homo in Auckland. Sir Arthur «v was created a Knight Bachelor in 1924. He took an activo part in tho social and business lifo of London dut during the whole of his time in England never lost touch with his many friends in New Zcalaijfd, Sir Arthur is survived by Lady Myers, a sou, Mr. Kenneth Myers, now at Cambridge, and two unmarried daughters, all living iu London. Lady Myers is a daughter-'-of lhp. Lo^