OBITUARY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11438, 7 February 1923, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR W. T. JENNINGS AN ACTIVE AND USEFUL CAREER. The cause of Liberalism in New Zealand has lost one of its staunchest supporters by the death of Mr Thomas Jennings, late M.l\ for Waitomo, which occurred in Bowen street Hospital yesterday, following an operation. He was 68 years of age, and had taken an active part in politics for the last 30 years. He was the sitting member for Waitomo until the last election, when he contested the seat. He was not in good health, and the strenuous nature of the campaign did not improve matters. He only lost the seat by six votes, and a petition had been lodged against the decision by reason of alleged irregularities. This petition conies before the Supreme Court on March 3rd. After the petition had been lodged he entered the hospital, where tho operation was performed, and from which he did not recover. He leaves three sons and one daughter, lrs wife having predeceased him two years ago, and he also lost three sons in the war. Tho surviving children are Mr A. G. Jennings, 96, Marjoribnnk street, Wellington; Mr P. A. Jennings, Hawera; Mr R. H. Jennings, Wellington; and Mrs T. J. O'Kelly, Wellington. The funeral takes place at Nbw* Plymouth Friday morning, and the remains will be placed on the New Plymouth express early on Thursday morning at ThorndOn.

jlr Jennings was born in Auckland, and entered the political arena 30 years ago, when he was called to the Legislative Council. He soon forsook this for the more active field in the Heuse of Representatives, being elected member for Fgmont, and he rendered yeoman service to the Liberal cause during the Ballance, Seddon and Ward Ministries, For many years he represented the North Taranaki constituencies in ment, and with the growth of the King Country he stood for what was then known as the Taumaranui electorate and was returned. The name of the constituency was subsequently changed to Waitomo, and for this Mr Jennings was again returned to Parliament. He contested the Waitomo seat last December, losing by six votes, and Mr Jennings had intended to dispute the result, for a petition is pending and conies before the Supreme Court shortly. His opponent was Mr J. C. Rolleston. In 1914 Mr Jennings contested the King Country seat agr.inst Mr C. K. Wilson, the Reform candidate The Liberals returned Mr Jennings. Mr Wilson petitioned, and after sitting at Te Kuiti for several days and voluminous and most interesting evidence, the count of two Supreme Court judges decided to upset the election. The candidates went to the poll again, and it was evidence ot Mr Jennings's popularity and standing in the electorate that he was returned by a greater majority than before In politics he was always a Liberal, in many respects of the old* (school. He was a sound debater, a man who spoke rarely but well, knew any subject upon which he addressed the House. He “was popular with all shades, of politicians, and in Taxanaki there wa£ no better known figure, for it is there that his loss will be very deeply felt. In years gene by he has been associated with newspaper work, first on the "Otago Daily Times/' Dunedin, where he was also closely connected with Labour organisations. He took an active part in the formation of the first Trades and Labour Council, and was president of tho Typographical Association. He was also identified with progressive labour movements in the early days, took a keen interest in local matters, and held many responsible positions on local bodies. He has served on the Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors, was a volunteer and an active rifle shot. In Auckland he was president of the Tailorfcsses Union, and had held quite a number of offices in the Ancient Order of Druids. was for some time associated •with the publication of the Auckland “Star," and spent a few months in Australia some years ago in nefwlspaper work. VOTE OF SYMPATHY BY LIBERAL Just before the close of the caucus meeting of the Liberal-Labour Party word was received of the death of Mr W. T. Jennings, ex-member for Waitomo. The news was a sad shock to those present, among whom werp some of his very old personal friends and comrades in the Liberal cause. Mr Wilford, on behalf of the party, moved the following resolution, which was carried in silence, all the members of the party .standing:—

"That this meeting expresses its deepest regret at the death, of the- late W. T. Jennings, its high appreciation of his faithful, valuable and lifelong services in the interests of the Dominion and the Liberal Party and records its deepest sympathy with his family in their irreparable loss."