RECORD OF REED

NZ Truth, Issue 1127, 7 July 1927, Page 6

RECORD OF REED

NOW sitting among the members of the "Octogenarian Club*'— as rude ... people have been known to call the Legislative Assembly, when they don't call it the "Old Men's Home"— will be found Vernon Herbert Reed. The 'Hon.;Yernon is merely one more , lawyer "who has. turned his footsteps into the path of politics with that altrulstio spirit which so distinguishes the dlsolplea of legal argument The' Queen City can, if it so chooses, claim him for her son, for there he first made his voice heard m .1871 to the delight or his parson parent JSla well-considered education In Jersey, London and Sydney Universities was responsible for V.H.R. becoming? — as an old lady once said — "a very, gentle, manly person." : At the age of 37 he entered the House of Reps, as a member for the Bay of : Islands, where he dwells at that most exclusive of exclusive rural retreats, Paihia. " Taking to politics like a mole takes to burrowing, Reed displayed no less actual ability than the average representative of the people. With the exception of one slightly unpleasant episode m 1914, when he was deprived of his seat for twelve months, he remained m the House until his defeat m 1922 by Colonel Allan Bell, of ."Come North, my lad!" fame. , So far ids sport is concerned, Vernon Herbert was m his hey-day a keen foo.tballer, having heaved and booted the leather m iriany a hard-fought Rugby battle m Auckland, Hawkes Bay and New South Wales.