DEATH OF SIR CHARLES BOWEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9842, 13 December 1917, Page 3

DEATH OF SIR CHARLES BOWEN

late speaker of the legislative COUNCIL. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. December 12. Sir Charles Boweu, formerly Speaker of the Legislative Council, died 10-flay, used 07. Sir unarles arrived in Canterbury i'll 1830 111 fine, of the first lour ships, and occupied prominent positions in Canterbury Provincial Council. He was a. member of the House of Representatives for several years, and member of the Legislative Council since 1891. Ho was also a member of a number of local bodies, particularly relating to education. I n 1877 ho introduced a BUJ in the House of Representatives which subsequently became the Education Act. giving Now Zealand the national system of compulsory education now in lorce.

Sir Charles Bowen was born at Milford, County ilapo, Ireland, in IS3O. He was the eldest son of Mr Charles Bowen. one of tho founders of Canterbury. Ho was educated at Rugby and Cambridge and left college to join the first, party of Canterbury colonists. It wa« not long before bo became Provincial Treasurer and a member of the Provincial Executive. At that time he wrote most of tho political article* for the Lyttelton "Times" of which paper he and Mr Crogbie Ward were joint owners for a few years. Ho eo-operaled with Mr Moor ho uso and the Provincial Government in inaugurating the first New Zealand railway, and urged on the construction of tho Moorhouso Tunnel. Resigning in 1859. he returned to England. In 1862 ho came back to the Uominion and was appointed resident magistrate at Christchurch tn 1861, which position he held for ton years. In 1874' ho becamo Minister for Justice in tho Vogel Ministry, and. was called to the Upper House. Almost immediately afterwards he resigned his seat to contest the Kaiapoi electorate, which had fallen vacant: in this ho was successful. He continued member for Kaiapoi during three successive Parliaments. but did not seek re-election in 18SI, being about fo pay a visit to the Old Country. Returning, he was, in 1890. called to the Legislative Council for the second time, and continued in that position until tho time of his death. He was elected Speaker of that branch of the Legislature in 1903. and held the position until 1915. Throughout his connection with the Dominion, and particularly with Canterbury, th e late Sir Charles Bowen took a keen interest in educational matters. He was for n period chairman of the Canterbury Education Board., and was one of the first members of the Canterbury College Board of Governors. Ho was also a valued member of the New Zealand University Senate. He leaves a widow, and four eons and three daughters.

ME MUEDOOH McLEAN. Mew Zealand lias produced no finer typo of manhood, whether in character, physique or ability, than .Mr Murdocll McLean, whose death under an 1 operation occurred at Auckland yesterday. He was well known in Wellington, having been a resident of this city for some' years at one period of his life, and he had a wide circle of friends here, as well as in practically every part of Mew Zealand. The elder son of the late John McLean, he was one of the wellknown firm of John McLean and Sons, contractors, and was engaged with his father and brother Neil in wharf construction, work in Wellington as far back as thirty-five years ago. Since then, the firm lias carried out extensive bridge, wharf, railway and other public works contracts in many parts of Now Zealand. These included the Wellington dock contract, which was abandoned owing to structural obstacles, and the Otira tunnel contract, which proved unprofitable in consequence of labour difficulties. Though these two undertak. ings proved unfortunate for the firm the fault was none of their own, while at the same time they carried through many undertakings that established their reputation highly for thorough and conscientious workmanship. The late Mr Murdoch McLean was a man of the most estimable qualities, honourable and upright in character, staunch and sympathetic in his friendships, and fair and considerate in his dealings with his employees. In his younger days, he took an active part in rowing and other athletic sports, and in later years was a candidate for Parliament, having run Mr Prank Lawry very close as a candidate for Parnell. At that time, however, Liberalism was in sway, and Mr McLean’s championship of the Massey platform failed to carry him to victory, though he fell scarcely short of it. Mr McLean was also an enthusiastic Freemason, and had attained to a high position in the craft.