COUNCILLOR'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 14

COUNCILLOR'S DEATH.

MR. F. W. H. BRINSDEN.

LONG SERVICE TO CITY.

ACTIVE IN MANY FIELDS.

In the death of Mr. F. W. H. Brinsden, a member of the City Council, which occurred at a private hospital yesterday afternoon in his 61st year, Auckland has lost ono of its best-known public men.

Just over a year ago Mr Brinsden, who until then had enjoyed robust health, suffered a serious illness, which necessitated his abandonment of civic work for several months, but more recently his health had improved, and he had resumed active association with the City Council, the lasl meeting of which he attended a fortnight ago. The next day, however, he was compelled to enter a private hospital. where he underwent a serious operation last week From the effects of tha» he appeared to he making a good recovery until ho suffered a sudden relapse yesterday afternoon. 1 Born in Weilesley Street West in 1863. the son of Mr William Brinsden, Mr Brinsden had formed many associations ip Auckland, and had been prominently idop tified with local body work, being for si? years a member of the old Grey Lynn Borough Council, and for the last 14 years a member of the City Council. Tn the present City Council he had acted as chairman of the Parks and Reserves Com mittee, carrying with it membership of the Finance Committee or cabinet of the council," and he was also a member of the Works Committee. The high regard in which Mr. Brinsden was held was strikingly demonstrated at the municipal elections in 1927. when he was returned at the to]) of a record poll. Mr. Brinsden was a member of the Newton School Committeo for 22 years, and was chairman for about 10 years. In sporting affairs he also took a keen interest, and in the forefront of his City Council work he placed the necessity for providing more play areas. For 35 years he was engaged in a painting business, first in partnership with his father, and more recently on his own account. For four years he was president of the Master Painters' Association. He was essentially a self-made man, in the best sense of the word. Ho often told the tale of how, as a young man on the eve of starting in business, he carried timber from Freeman's Bay to Grey Lynn, and then made the ladder to start on his first contract job. In public life Mr Brinsden's conduct was high-principled and fearless. He was widely known as a keen worker in the cause of prohibition, and during his long service as a city councillor he was never afraid to make known his convictions. In his younger days he was an enthusiastic member of the Artillery Band. Two months ago Mr. Brinsden was invited to contest the Grey Lynn Beat in the Reform Party interest at the impending general elections, but on medical advice he declined I Mrs. Brinsden survives her husband. There are two sons, Messrs. Norman and Harold Brinsden, both resident in Auckland. The latter is particularly well known as one of the province's leading lawn tennis players. Mr. W. Brinsden, of Mount Eden, and Mr. E. Brinsden, of Grey Lynn, are brothers, and Mrs. E. Marler, of Ponsonby, and Sirs. G. Lippiatt, of Pokeno, are sisters. The flag at the Town Hall was flown at half-mast yesterday as a mark of respect. The funeral will take place at the Waikumete cemetery on Sunday afternoon. CITY COUNCIL VACANCY. BY-ELECTION NECESSARY. The vacancy on the City Council, caused by the death of Mr. F. W. H. Brinsden, will necessitate the holding of a by-election, the first in the term of the present council. Had the vacancy occurred within six months of the expiration of the council's term in Slay, the holding of an election would have been in the discretion of the council It had been suggested! the position might be complicated by the recent amalgamation of Avondale, Tamaki and Orakei, which has temporarily increased the council membership to 27, or six above the limit prescribed by the Municipal Corporations .Act. As the vacancy had not depleted the membership below 21, it was thought possible' I here would bo no occasion to elect another member. The city solicitor, Mr. J. Stanton, said yesterday, however, that he did not think it likely that construction could be legally placed on the position, and it was his opinion that a by-election would bo necessary.