OBITUARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5732, 30 October 1905, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR ALFRED SAUNDERS. PIIESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, October 29. Mr Alfred Saunders, who had been in failing health for some time, died at -I o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Air Saunders was born in Lavington, Wiltshire, England, in 1820, and was brought up as a fanner and miller. Ho arrived at Nelson in 1842, and was closely identified with tlio Nelson provincial district for twenty-five years. Ho was elected a member of tie Nelson Provincial Council for Waimea South in 1855, and represented that district continuously until ho became superintendent of tho province. He was elected Superintendent for tlio second time in 1805, but resigned in 1867 to visit England. Ho was appointed Justice of tho Peace by the Stafford Government in 1853. In 1859 ho was elected member of the House of Representatives for Waimea, and in the following year ho declined the offer of the position of Colonial Treasurer in the Fox Ministry. Ho remained in England from 1867 till 1871, when ho settled iii Canterbury. The deceased was twice elected M.11.R. for Cheviot. In 1880 ho was appointed chairman of the New Zealand Civil Service Commission, whose report led to tho removal ot tho Chief Railway Commissioner in each island, together with a large number of other officials. Prom 1889 to 1891 ho sat in tho House as member for Lincoln, and from 1891 to 1895 for Selwyn. Tho writings of Mr Saunders include “Our Domestic Birds.” in 1833; “Our Horses,” in 1835: and a “History of New Zealand.” Deceased had been prominently connected with educational movements, •being frequently governor _of Nelson College and of Ashburton High School, and a member of tho Nelson and North Canterbury Education Boards. He was married in 1847. Five sons and threo daughters of the marriage are living. His wife died in 1898, and he married again in 1899, while on a visit to England. Since' his return from England a couple of years ago ho has been in failing health.

Before tho House rose on Saturday night, the Premier, in referring to tile death of Mr Saunders, said the deceased had done tho colony good service, and ho was sure every member of tho House would regret his death. Their warm sympathies would go out to those who had been bereaved.