OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24949, 23 June 1942, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR J. A. SPENDER

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. The death has occurred of Mr J. A. Spender, the noted Liberal journalist and author; aged 80.

Mr Spender was editor of the Eastern Morning News, Hull, irom 1886 to 1890, and joined the staff of the Pall Mall Gazette in 1892, but left it the same year on its transfer to Mr (later Lord) Astor He became editor of the Westminster Gazette in 1896, and for more than a quarter of a century made it one of the most influential Liberal newspapers in Britain. Mr Spender wrote a number of important books dealing with the history of the last 50 years, and also several outstanding biographical studies of statesmen and men of affairs. MR S. R. MASON (PA.) AUCKLAND, June 22. The death has occurred after a sudden illness of Mr Spencer Rex Mason, well-known lawyer, and president of the Auckland District Law Society. Mr Mason, who was aged 51, was a younger brother of the Attorney-general, Mr H. G. R. Mason. He was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University College. Mr Mason joined the Royal Naval Volunteer. Reserve in the last war, and saw much service in the Adriatic.