OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20904, 19 December 1929, Page 10

OBITUARY.

MR W. S. MASLIN. Mr William Stephen Maalin, who was a prominent figure in the industrial life of South Canterbury for a long period, and who subsequently took up his residin Otago, passed away yesterday at his residence in Bay View road. Mr Maslin, who was born at Brentford, in Middlesex, England, resided in New Zealand for more than 71 years. He came to this country with his parents in the ship Maori, and landed at Lyttelton on July 2], 1858. His father went to Timaru in December of the same year, and was followed by his family early in 1850. Mr Maslin, sen., was engaged in the building and timber trade, and was connected with the erection of many of the early buildings in Timaru. In 1861 the family removed to Geraldine, On June 21, 1864 Mr Maslin, sen., was killed while bricking a well on his property, and the subject of this notice, who was the eldest of a family of five, took charge of the household affairs. He carried on his father’s business as a timber merchant, and when hand-sawing gave place to steam power a large general store was added to the business. After the bush was cut out store-keeping engaged Mr Maslin’a attention till 1883, when he sold his business, which had grown to large and prosperous dimensions. He then engaged in business as an auctioneer and land agent in Timaru and Geraldine. In 1802 he discontinued auctioneering, but still carried on the land agency part of the business for many years. Mr Maslin owned a farm as early as 1860, when ploughing was done with bullocks and a single-furrow plough, and for many years he farmed a considerable area of land. He grew the first crops in the Geraldine district, which subsequently became noted for its grain production. The deceased took a prominent part in public affairs for many years. In 1872 he was elected a member of the Geraldine School Committee, on which he remained for many years and of which he was chairman for five years in succession. In conjunction with Mr Pierpoint he was one of the founders of Geraldine town district, and wae a member of the Town Board for 12 years until he entered politics. He was also a member of the Licensing Committee for many years. Mr Maalin was one of the founders of the first Good Templary Lodge in the Geraldine district, and was always a strong supporter of the temperance cause. His interest in the Methodist Church began more than 60 years ago, and for the rest of his life he was keenly interested in the welfare of that denomination. His association with the church began in Geraldine in 1808, and it is worthy of mention that for some years the meetings of the congregation were held in his mother’s house. Mr Maslin became a Freemason in 1870, when he joined the Southern Star Lodge, No. 010, E.C. He was also a member of an Oddfellows lodge. Mr Maslin took a very keen interest in politics, and from 1803 till 1890 lie represented the Rangitata electorate in the House of Representatives. He was not a candidate for parliamentary honours at the general election in 1890, but from 1890 till 1022 he offered his services to the electors of various constituencies without achieving success. In 18D9 he was one of four candidates for the Ashburton seat, for which Mr John M'Lachlan was returned. Mr Maslin occupied third place, securing 727 votes as compared with 2027 in favour of the successful candidate. In 1002 ho opposed Mr F. R, Platman for the Temuka seat, but was defeated by 2275 votes to 1303, Three years later he contested the Waitaki seat, for which there were five candidates. On this Mr Maslin again occupied third place, Sir William Steward heading the poll with a very substantial majority. At the general election in 1008 ho transferred his attention to Ashburton, but on this occasion he received very poor support. There were five candidates and at the first ballot he occupied the lowest place, receiving only 270 votes as compared with 2316 in favour of Mr Flatman. Three years later he again contested the Ashburton seat, but was eliminated at the first ballot, securing 1153 votes, while Mr Nosworthy got 2864, Mr Kennedy 1534 and Mr M'Lachlan 418. In 1014 Mr Maslin gave Mr Nosworthy a good run for the same seat, being defeated by less than 200 votes. The next general election took place in 1010, and on that occasion Mr Maslin was one of three candidates for the Clutha sat, the others being Mr A. S. Malcolm and Mr R. A. Rodger. Mr Malcolm secured 2257 voles, Mr Rodger 2123 and Mr Maslin 1100. In 1922 Mr Maslin offered his services to the electors of Dunedin Central, but his candidature was not taken seriously. He secured only 34b votes, as compared with 4830 recorded in favour of Sir Charles Stathara am} 4109 for Mr John Gilchrist. In 1873 Mr Maslin married Miss Hannah Clough, of Timaru, and his family consisted of four sons and four daughters, CAPTAIN W. H. HENNAO. The death occurred at Wellington on Friday of Captain William Henry Hennah, at the age of 80 years. For many years Captain Hannah was Chief Messenger and Housekeeper of Parliament Buildings. He was born at Williamstown, Victoria, and in the early ’seventies he visited New Zealand, where he had some experience on the West Coast goldfields. Returning to Australia, be settled in Ballarat, where he became captain and superintendent of the city fire brigade. During his residence in’ Bal larat he took an active interest in the Volunteer movement, and In 1887 he was raised to the rank of captain and adjutant of the Third Battalion of the Victorian Regiment. Captain Hennah settled in Wellington in the latter part of 1893, and took up the position at Government Buildings. He was a prominent Mason, and was n Past Master of the Ballarat Lodge. MARSHAL GOMEZ DA COSTA. FORMER PRESIDENT OF PORTUGAL. LISBON, December 17 (Received Dec. 18, at 8 p.m.) The death is announced of the formet President, Marshal Gomez da Costa, who was commander of the Portuguese troops in France during the war.