OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15004, 30 November 1910, Page 8

OBITUARY.

HON. R. OLIVER.

I'ren Auocation—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 29

(Reteeired Nov. 29, at 10.3), p.m.) The death of the Hon. Richard Oliver, formerly of Not Zealand, is announced.

Tho Hon. Richard OUvct will still be remembered Sw older residents of Dunediti as cmo of fts most prominent citizens. Mr Oliver was born in Cornwall in 1830, and after Ilia arrival in Dunodiii was s4n ; or roomber of tho hardware firm of Oliver and XJlph. He was tho founder o£ tho New Zealand Hardware Company, and still retained a largo mtaajfc in it. Ho did not allow tiio circa of businoss to wholly enlgross him, for in 1878 bo became a member of tho House of Representatives. In July of that year ho was clocted to fill tho vacancy in the ropwacaita-tion of the city of Duncdin. caused by tho resignation of Mr Laraoch. • 'Mr: Olivet was: opposed by Mt 0. S. Bcovo6, who polled 658 votes, ,the sucoessful .candidate poJKng 769. Mr Oliver , was not long, in attaining Ministerial rank. In 1879 ho became Minister of Publio Works in tho Hall Ministry, and retained tho offioc till May, 1881. He was in tho same Government -without portfolio till April, 1882, /when a reconstruction took placo, and lio was in tlto "Whittakor Govonar.ent as. a mon&or of tlho Executive Council. A socond reconstruction took place, and ho tlion became Oammissjoner of 'lelographs and Postmaster-general in the A-tkinson Government. With tho most of his colleagues ,ho retirod in 1881, and was nominated to the Upper House. For somo years prior to his dttith ho resided in Sngiuxl. Mr Oliver was twioo married, first at Pcnzance in 1858 to ft daughter of Mr William Purchase, and secondly ,it Penzonoo in 1885 to a daughter of Mr J. S. Courtney, and sister of tho Right: Hon. Leonard H. (now Lord) Gourtnov, M.P.. Chairman of Committees in tho House of Commons from 1886 to 1892. In, private lift! Mr Oliver was much esteemed for tho amiability of his diameter. 'Ho was much attachod to art, and was a generous giver of pictures to the Art :Gallery. His beautiful rosidenco at Maori Hill'is now occupied liy Mr'.P.' Dunoon.