LONG SERVICE TO THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 17

LONG SERVICE TO THAMES.

CAREER OF MR. T. W. RHODES. MANY YEARS IN PARLIAMENT. [nt TEI.EOIIArH. — OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Wednesday. The retirement of Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., from the political arena, marks the close of a record Parliamentary career in ♦ho annals of the electorate of I hames. Mr. Rhodes was first elected for Thames in 1911 and represented the, electorate continuously until his recent retirement. He lias done much to advance tho needs of I his electorate, which covered over 2000 Square miles.

Ono of Mr. Rhodes' greatest enthusiasms during his long Parliamentary career was tho necessity for the full protection of the goldrnining industry and he will be ever remembered bv veteran miners for bis readv and practical assistance to the families of those whose bread winner was afflicted with miner's pliythis. Mr. Rhodes had L'reat faith in the future of the llauralu Plains and he has lived to fee the day when his prophecies of the value of tins wonderfully productive area have corne I rue.

Apart from I,is Parliamentary service Mr. Rhodes lias a word of service (hi local bodies. Ho lias been a member of 'lie Licensing Committer for 17 years, is president of tlie Thames School of Mines ami is also a member of the High hchool Ii <| of tlovernoi s. Both t.lieso institutions have keenly interested him for innnv years and he has an association extending fiver 20 years with Masonic: institutions more particularly with the f'oromande where he has held the Incites, executive ollice. lie was also Mayor ol Thames fin four years. Mr. f!hoiles returned from a tour of ( an nd.i this v.eek as one of three new Zealaui. fl.'leu.ites to the Km pi re Parliamentary Conference