LOSS TO PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20419, 22 November 1929, Page 14

LOSS TO PARLIAMENT.

MR. ALEXANDER LOWE.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

LONG GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

[BY IELEGBAPIf —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The death occurred suddenly on the limited express la«t night of Mr. Alexander Francis Lowe, C.M.G., Clerk of Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council, who was on his way to Rotorua to take a holiday. When the express was near Mangaweka, about midnight, Mr. Lowe complained of feeling unwell and asked that word should be sent to Mrs. LowOj who was in another compart, merit. Before Mrs. Lowe arrived, however, ho had expired. The body was removed from the train at Taihape.

Up to tho close of the session of Parliament, less than a fortnight ago, which entailed upon him important responsibilities in his position of Clerk of Parliaments, in seeing to the final stages of the year's legislation, Mr. Lowo appe&red to bo in good health and- his usual bright spirits. Ha was always one of the cheeriest and most genial officials about Parliament House. Ho was the oldest member of the Legislative Department staff, and his death will causo a vacancy not easily filled. Born in Nelson in 1861, Mr. Lowe was a man of sterling worth and ono who was most highly esteemed by all members of the Legislature and by a host of friends inside and outside Parliament. After a period of fanning in the Waikato lie joined the service of tho House of Reprc. scntatives. in 1885, and held the positions successively of Clerk of Select Committees, Header of Bills, Second and First Clerk Assistant and Clerk of the House of Representatives. On May 15, 1920, he was appointed Clerk of Parliaments and Clerk of the Legislative Council, as well as examiner of Standing Orders on private bills, succeeding tho late Mr. Leonard Stowe, who had been Clerk of Parliaments for over half-a-century. Mr. Lowe was respected for his vast, knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, in which field he was regarded as having no peer. ljj. the discharge of his duties ho was always most courteous and when difficult questions arose -on points of Parliamentary procedure or etiquette his ready help was always at hand. In addition to his Parliamentary duties Mr. Lowe was honorary secretary of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association, a position which he had held for some years. He was also keenly interested in acclimatisation, particularly in the restocking .of New Zealand rivers with trout and other fish. He was a member of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society and at the time of his death was a vice-president. - Mr Lowe is survived by a widow and three' sons, Mr. F. K. Lowe, clerk of select committees in the Legislative Council Mr/" Anthony Lowe, of Wellington, and Mr. R. 0. Lowe, also of Wellington. Mr. H. J. Lowe, formerly Commissioner of Crown Lands in North Auckland, is a brother. INQUEST HELD AT TAIHAPE. EVIDENCE GIVEN BY SON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAIHAPE. Thursday. An inquest was opened at Taihape this afternoon concerning the death of Mr. A. F. Lowe, which occurred on the limited express last night. Mr. Francis Kempton Lowe, son of deceased, said he last saw his father alive at about 7 p.m. yesterday, as the latter was leaving Wellington for Rotorua by the limited express. His father was re. covering from a slight cold. Sometimes ho had complained of pains under his heart, but had attributed this to indigestion. He had not been attended by a doctor recently and his health was fairly good. He was going to Rotorua for a change of climate and surroundings. As several other witnesses have to be called the inquest was adjourned.