OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 11

OBITUARY.

THE EARL OF MEATH. 1

FOUNDER OF EMPIRE DAY.

Australian Press Association—United Servicd LONDON, Oct. 11. The death has occurred of the Earl of Meath, aged 88. A British wireless message says that the late earl was famous as the founder of that movement for thinking imperially which resulted in May 24, the birthday of the late Queen Victoria, being observed as Empire Day. The suggestion for the observance of Empire Day was first made by the deceased earl to the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain when the latter was Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1902) Lord Meath was also closely identified with many religious and social mov<*ments, including the Boy Scouts and the Church Army. ,

The late Lord Meath, who was the twelfth earl of his line, was born in London on July 31, 1841, and he received his education at Eton and in Germany. He entered the Foreign Office as a clerk at the ago of 22. Five years later he exchanged to the diplomatic, service, and was stationed successively in Berlin, the Hague, and Paris. He was the founder and president of the Dublin Hospital Sunday movement, and in 1879 was first chairman of the Young Men's Friendly Society. He was elected an alderman of the London County Council in 1889 and held office until 1892. He again served on the same bod}' from lSt*9 to 1901.

The late earl took a great interest in the beauty spots of the. metropolis and was the first chairman of the Parks Committee of the London County Council. In later years he was elected a member of the Senate of Southern Ireland by the members of the Privy Council in Ireland, He was the author of several publications on social, Imperial and historical subjects. He is best known in the overseas Dominions as the founder of Empire Da\\ which was inaugurated at his instigation in 1903. His eldest son and heir is Viscount Ardce, who will celebrate his 60th birthday next month. The new earl served in the South Africsnand European Wars audi attained tho Q* brigadier-general in 1918.

AN EX-AUSTRALIAN JUDGE.

(Received October 13, 5.35 p.m.)

SYDNEY.- Oct. 13

Tho death has occurred at the ago of 80 of Mr. R. M. Sly, who was for many years a Judge of tho New South Wales Supreme Court. Ho retired from tho Bench in 1920. Ho leaves a widow and four daughters.