SUDDEN DEATH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11302, 30 August 1922, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH

HON. C. A. C. HARDY, M.L.C. BOTH HOUSES ADJOURN IN HONOUR. OF DEAD. FEELING REFERENCES MADE. On the House of Representativeresuming after the dinner-hour adjournment last night, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey) said that he regretted to announce that the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, a member of tbo Legislative touncil and tormerly a member of the House of Representatives, had passed away tat his residence, Molesworth street, Wellington) that afternoon. He* moved: “That the House records its high sense of the faithful service rendered to the Dominion by Mr Hardy, and respectfully tenders to his widow and family its assurance of its sincere sympathy- with them in their bereavement.” A USEFUL CAREER. The late Mr Hardy, said Mr Alas sey, was born in Ireland on September 23rd, 1843, and was educated by the Church Education Society of Ireland. He arrived in Dunedin on July 4th, 1863, went bo Nelson South-west Goldfield in 1868, and thence proceeded to Greymouth. Eventually he settled at Rakaia in 1879. He took a keen interest in local government, and was a member of various local bodies during twenty-eight years. Much of his time was devoted to educational affairs ; for many years he was chairman ct the Rakaia school committee, and for ten years a member of the North Canterbury Education Board. In 1899, he was elected M.H.R. for Selwyn, and he continuously represented that district in Parliament until 1911. The year of his appointment to the Legislative Council was 1913. For many years ho was chairman of the Joint House Committee, and while he was a member of the House of Representatives he was a Reform Whip. He need hardly say, added the Prime Minister, that the late Mr Hardy was well and favourably known to almost every member of Parliament—certainly to every member of the Legislative Council and to all the older members of the House of Representatives. There were few better known Parliamentarians than he, especially in the South Island; and none who left a better record behind him. Mr Hardy was a good husband and father, a good citizen, and a good friend; and he (the Prime Minister) could only hope that He who tempered the wind to the shorn lamb would be with the widow and her children in their bereavement. Mr T. K. Sidey (Acting-Leader of the Opposition) briefly and feelingly seconded the motion; Mr H. E. Holland (chairman of the Labour Party) associated himself and his party with all that the mover and seconder had said; and sincere tributes were also paid to the dead by Mr D. G. Sullivan (Avon), Mr A. S. Malcolm (dutha), and the Hon. W. Nosworthy. At 7.45 p.m., on the motion of the Prime Minister, the House adjourned, out of respect to the memory of the dead, till 2.30 this afternoon. “ A NOBLE-HEARTED MAN l ’ FEELING WORDS IN COUNCIL TRIBUTES TO BELOVED COLLEAGUE. Feeling references to the passing of the late Mr Hard - were made in the Legislative Council. When the Council met after dinner the Leader of the Council (Sir William Fraser) said that a very sad event had occurred at Wellington that evening. He was sure all deplored the news of the death of the Hon. Mr Hardy. All would join with him in deploring the loss of a respected colleague, and one who was a friend: to everyone in the Council. He had been connected in Parliament with Mr Hardy for nearly a quarter of a century." In both branches of the Legislature Mr Hardy was always respected and looked up to. He was not fond of making long speeches, hut was recognised as a man with an intimate knowledge of what was going on in the country. His heart was in the country. His loss would be severely felt in the district in which, he resided of late years and which he represented in Parliament. That morning his colleagues had hoped that his life would be spared, but news later in the day had been to the effect that the end was not far distant. All Sir William could say was that if any of them when their time came could look back cm as much good as Mr Hardy had done it would be well for them. This was not the occasion for a long speech; when one felt most strongly one was not inclined to say much. He moved that the Council should record its high sense of the loss sustained’ and should tender its sympathy to the relatives of the deceased gentleman. A MAN WHO COULD ILL BE SPARED. The Hon. J. B. Gow seconded the motion, and said that a few short days ago councillors little thought that they would then he addressing; themselves to a motion of this kind. He had not been associated with the late Air Hardy for the length of time that the Leader of the Council had, but while he had known him hie association with him had been of a very intimate character. One oould not fail to discover in Mr Hardy the noblest traits, for ho was a noble-hearted generous man, who always tried to serve his country, who had left a record of service behind him not only in the district in which he lired. hut in the annals of Parliament. His was solid, lasting work. He was a man who could be depended upon in times of stress. A man like him oould ill bo spared from New Zealand public life. Words were too poor to express what was in the breasts of every councillor. They all loved him, and they could only 6ay that looking back on what they knew of him they were proud of liirri, and they prayed that the sorrow that had fallen on his friends might be turned to gladness by the thought of the life he had lived and the noble example he had set for those who were to follow. CONSOLATION IN GOOD WORKS. Tho Hon. Sir AVilliam Hall-Joncs said he had sat with Mr Hardy in both the House of Reprcsentativee and the Legislative Council. The deceased was all that the previous speakers had said of him. Ho did not think ho had met a man of a more lovable disposition, a more kindly-hearted man. He was a man ot good deeds, and hundreds in Canterbury would mourn his loss. There was this consolation—his was a good life, and Sir William believed that in the goodness of God their colleague had gone to a better life. The motion was carried, and the Council rose.