OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26042, 4 January 1946, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR E. V. SANDERSON The death occurred on Saturday of Mr E V. Sanderson, founder of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, an outstanding advocate for the preservation and welfare of all native- birds, and always an active agent in all steps taken to eradicate inimical imported animals such as deer and opossums. The society was founded at the instance of Sir Thomas Mackenzie in 1923, and Mr Sanderson did most of the spade work in making it a valuable body. In addition to his interest in freeing New Zealand from imported pests, on the smaller species of which he waged a personal war, accounting in his lifetime for many thousands of them, he early realised the necessity for preserving native forests if native birds were not to disappear, and was one of the prime movers recently in arranging for a bird sanctuary not far from Wellington, where the native food and shelter trees could be established in their natural proportions. This is only one of many similar efforts on his part, many of which were successful through hi% persistent presentation of the value of the work to the authorities. Much of Mr Sanderson’s work is (the Evening Post says) known only to those whom he influenced, sometimes against their inclinations, to place no obstacle against his campaigns for the extermination of imported pests, such as deer, goats, opossums, and other destroyers of native forest trees and the smaller flora. He made trips to Kapiti and was instrumental in having the goats cleared out of the bush. He laid the blame for erosion almost wholly on the destruction of seedling forest trees, which left the forest floor bare and a mere sluice for storm water, and one of his most outstanding works was in accumulating evidence against the deer and prevailing on the Government to ignore the sporting value of these pests. It may be said that for some 10 years this has been his chief work, and its success marks a step, although taken somewhat late, that may yet save some of the remaining forests. He has left a body of active workers who will endeavour to honour his memory in carrying to a conclusion his . sound and practical methods of retrieving past errors. His last public act was the erection of the memorial on the grave of New Zealand’s greatest botanist, Leonard Cockayne, D.Sc., F.R.S. DR ELEANOR RATHBONE (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 2. The death occurred suddenly of Dr Eleanor Rathbone, M.P. Dr Rathbone, who had represented the Combined English Universities since 1929 as an Independent, was 73 years of age. She was responsible for organising the work of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families’ Association in Liverpool during the 1914-18 war, and was elected president, in succession to Mrs Henry Fawcett, of the National Union of Equal Citizenship from 1919 to 1929. She was also prominently associated with the League of Nations Union, and honorary secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees and vice r chairman of the National Committee for Rescye from Nazi Terror. Amongst her publications were “ The Disinterested Family,” a plea for family endowment, “ The > Case for Family Allowances,” and various reports and articles on casual labour, women’s work, and other industrial and national problems. She was a D.C.L. of Oxford, and an L.L.D. of Liverpool. MR WILL THORNE LONDON, Jan. 2. The death is announced of Mr Will Thorne, C.B.E. Mr Thorne, who was 88, was a member of the House of Commons for 38 years until 1945. He did not contest the last election. This was the third longest period of service in the House. Mr Thorne had represented West Ham for the Labour Party since 1906. He was an active worker in the Labour interests, and with others founded the National Union of General and Municipal Workers in 1889. He was general secretary of that union until 1934, and was a member of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress, 1894-1934. He wrote his memoirs, “My Life’s Battles,” in 1925, and was a steady contributor of articles on Labour topics to various periodicals. He was created a C.B.E. in 1930. MR HAROLD BINDLOSS LONDON, Jan. 2. The death has occurred of Mr Harold Bindloss, aged 79. Mr Bindloss was a prolific writer of light adventure and romantic stories, and he had a very large following. Before he began his career as a novelist Mr Bindloss spent several years at sea and in various colonies. Returning to Britain in 1896, he began contributing to magazines and newspapers, and he published his first books, “In the Niger Country,” “A Wide Dominion,” “Ainslie’s Ju-Ju,” and “A Sower of Wheat,” in 1902. His last novel, “ Caverhills,” was published in 1943. In all, he wrote nearly 70 published works. MISTRESS CLARA KNIGHT (Rec. 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 3. Mistress Clara Cooper Knight, aged 62, nurse to Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, died yesterday at Sandringham House. All the Royal Family knew Mistress Knight as “Ala.” Buckingham Palace last night issued an obituary notice approved by the Queen describing her as “for 45 years a devoted nurse and beloved friend to her Majesty the Queen and also of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, and the Bowes-Lyon and Elphinstone families.” Mistress Knight was a spinster, but as senior member of the Royal domestic staff was given the courtesy title of Mistress, MR JOSEPH DARLING HOBART, Jan. 3. Mr Joseph Darling, M.L.C., foi'mer Australian test cricket captain, died yesterday at the age of 75 after an operation. His death occurred a week after that of his only surviving colleague of the 1896 Australian team which toured England, Charles Eady, who was also a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council. Mr Darling was one of Australia’s greatest left-hand batsmen. He went to England with four test teams, and was captain on his last three tours.