I NEWMEMBERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2855, 2 December 1908, Page 36

I NEW MEMBERS

MR G. M. THOMSON. Mr George Malcolm Thomson, F.L.S., who has been elected for Dunedin North, now in practice as an analyst and scientific specialist in Dunedin, was born in Calcutta in 1848. He was educated at the Edinburgh High School and University, and was for three years employed in a merchant's office in London. Following the failure of the Agra Bank, Mr Thomson's family came to New Zealand,' arriving in Southland in 1868, and here Mr Thomson was engaged for three years in farming at Mabel Bush. In 1872 he joined the staff of the Dunedin Hifh Schools, and for many years was master of both the Girls and Boys' educational institutions. Mr Thomson was the inaugurator and one of the founders of the Technical School in 1889. and for 11 years filled the position of hon. secretary and superintendent of the school, and is at present chairman of the Board of Management. For many years he was secretary, and afterwards became , president on two occasions, of the council' of the Otago Institute, and for a long period was on active member of the Otago Acclimatisation Society. In the latter connection he has been the chief mover in attempts to introduce marine fishes in New Zealand eeas, and his efforts resulted in the establishment of the Marine Fish Hatchery at Portobello, the board of which he has been chairman since it was founded in 1903. As a close student of botany and zoology he has published several works, among others " Ferns and Fern Allies of New Zealand " and "An Introductory : Text-book of Botany." the latter being. \ published from the Government Printing Office. Numerous papers from hjs pen on botanical subjects, on ideographical dis-' tribution, and on acclimatisation have been published in the " Transactions and Proceedings" of the New Zealand Institute and by the Linnsean Society ( of London, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Tasmanian Royal^ Society, and the. Australasian Society for the Advancement of Science. He has been hon. secretary of the last-named society in N^ew Zealand for 10 years, was one of the original members, and organised 'and carried oui the Science Congress in Dunedin in 1904. In^ addition to Mr Thomson's active interest in education and scientific subjects, he has found time to devote some of his energies to I&ilanthropic, social, religious, and outdoor recreation movements. He founded, and has boen president for some years of, the Dunedin City Mission: founded the Dunedin Choral Society, and was formerly and is at present its president. He founded and was an original member of the Dunedin Football Club, was captain of the club for a time, and an Otaero football representative. He was also^the founder and for many years president of the Pirates Football Club. As president of the Dunedin Young Men's Christian ! A«sociation since its foundation, Mr Thomson's whole-hearted efforts in connection with the raising of £16 500 in the city within a fortnight in aid of a hall for the association will be fresh in the nublic memory. Mr Thomson is one of the" original members of the Dunedin Conservation Society and 1 a member of the boaM, and was formerly a member of the B Battery and for several years captain in the Volunteer Artillery. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Free Kindergarten Association. MR E. H. CLARK. N Mr Edward Henry Clark, M.P. for Chalmers, was born in. Palmerston in 1870. He is a builder and contractor in his native town, and is a son of Mr Edward Clark, who established the present business in 1874. When his father retired from business in 1891 to become a sheep-farmer at Middlemarch, Mr Clark succeeded to the Palmerston business t which he now conducts. He has been a member of the Palmerston Borough Council since 1892, and has occupied the position of mayor. He is a member of the committee of the Pelmerston Agricultural Association, and of the committees of the racing, cricket, and football clubs. He unsuccessfully opposed Mr Thomas Mackenzie in 1905 for the representation of Waikouaiti constituency, the southern portion of which is included in Chalmers. Mr Clark was married in 1897 to a daughter of Mr D. Ross, of Meadowbank. ' MR R. SCOTT. ' Mr Robert Soott, M.P. for Tuapeka (president of the executive of the Farmers' Union of Otago), was born at Broughty Ferry, Forfarshire, Scotland, and came with his parents to Waikouaiti when about seven years of age. Ho was educated at Waikouaiti, and after leaving school engaged in farming pursuits, working among sheep, driving, mustering, and assisting in all kinds of farm work. For a period of nine years he was manager for Mr Henry Orbell, at the River Station, Waikouaiti ; afterwards going to Kyeburn, where he >•- resided for 18 years. He is engaged „ mixed farming on hi 3 own behalf. He is a man of cound judgment, and takes a practical view of all legislation affecting the farming community. Since -taking up his residence in Central Otago, Mr Scott has taken an active interest and a practical part in many public matters, notably in

* the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, School Committees, etc., and from its "inception has taken a keen interest in the Farmers' Union. He contested the byeelection on the death of the late Mr Benent at the urgent solicitation of farmers in Ota. go, and came out in the same interest at the general election and at the second ballot, the latter giving him a substantial majority. MR T. BUXTON. • Mr T. Buxton, the elect of GeraWine, has taken a very prominent part in public affairs in Temuka for & number of years. He was born at Lath, in Lincolnshire, in 1863, and came out to New Zealand with ■his. parents -at a very early age. He received his education in Canterbury schools, and in his youthful days was living on a farm with his parents in the Rangitata district. When he was about 19 years of age he took up-- office work, and a year or two later he was engaged in the Farmers' Coopeipbive, Timaru. Afterwards he shifted to Temuka to take up the position of bookkeeper and accountant for Mr J. Brown, Temuka, and abottt 15 years ago he commenced business on his own account as a grain and produce merchant. He' has been a member of the Temuka Borough Council since its inception seven years ago, and has held tfte office of mayor for seven years.. He has also been for the last six or seven years a member of the GeraWine Licensing 1 Bench, and last year he was elected . a member of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Mr Buxton is a son of the late Mr S. Buxton, a former member for the* old Rangitata seat. MR JAS. CRAIGIE. Mr James Craigie, the new representative for Timaru, .was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1852. In 1867, when a boy of 15, he left the' Old Country for New Zealand, and landed in Dunedin. He stayed in, the southern city for some years, learning his trade as painter and house decorator. He shifted to Timaru in 1873, and started in business -'on his own account. Apart irom his town business, Mr »Craigie purchased a farm at Kingsdown, and carried this on with success. Mr Graigie's entrance into public life might be said to date back eight 'or nine years ago, when he was elected to the Timaru Borough Council. Since that time) he has taken a very prominent part in the administration of public affairs in Timaru and South Canterbury. A few months after -he entered the Borough Council he was invited to stand 1 for the mayoralty, and he was elected. Mr Craigie has now been in the office continuously for seven years, and he has taken a prominent part in initiating and carrying; ouf municipal undertakings, including the installation of the electric light, beautifying Caroline Bay, street improvements, pubho library, and underground drainage. Mr Craigie is a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and chairman of the Timafu Harbour Board. ' MR G. W. RUSSELL. Mr G. W." Russell, M.P. for Avon, w» born in London in 1854-, and came to New Zealand in 1865. For some years he resided, in Inveroargill, ant! was employed as s laid in the office of the Southern News. Subsequently he removed ' to Wellington, and served his apprenticeship as a compositor . on 'the. Evening Post. Mr Russell became a probationer for the ministry of the W-es-levan Church* and was stationed at Gisborne, New Plymouth, and. Hokitiki. Later, however, disapproving of the system of - itineracy, he retired from the church whilst still a probationer, and joined the Wellington Chronicle as sub-editor. Afterwards, in conjunction with his brother John, he established the Manawatu . Herald at Foxton, and also became the proprietor of the Manawatu Times at Palmerston North, His next venture in journalism was at Cambridge, iv the Waikato, where he established "the Waikato News. Mr Russell then came south to Christchurch, and "became senior partner in the printing firm of Russell and Willis. The partnership existed till 1898, when he became proprietor of the Spectator. -He unsuccessfully contested* the Foxton seat in 1881, and the Waikato teat in 1887. In the general election of 1893 Mr Russell successfully contested the Riccarton seat, but was defeated in 1896 by the late Hon. -Wm. Rolleston. At the general election of 1899 ha was successful for Riccarton, beating th 3 Hon. W. Rolleston by one vote. At the 1905 election Mr Russell was defeated by Mr George Witty. He is chairman of the board of governors of Canterbury College. MR GEORGE W. FORBES. Mr George Wj Forbes, who has been returned for Hurumii, was fcorn in Lyttelton in 1869 and was educated until- the age of 12 at the borough sc&ool there, passing through all the standards. He then went to the Christchurch Boys' High School for two years. On leaving school ho entered the employ, as an office boy, of Messrs Gardner and Pickering, general merchants, Hereford street, and after remaining ttutrff about two or three yeara lefir to assist his father, Mr Robert Forbes, in his ironmongery and ship-chandlery business in Lyfrtelton. After some seven or eight years' experience of the ironmongery trade he drew a section at the ballot for the Cheviot Estate, and took up farming as & profession, going to Cheviot to reside, and has remained there until the present. B» contested the Hurunui seat in 1902 against Messrs Reeco, Rutherford, Meredith, and* Pully, and was defeated. He was a member of the Land Commission in 1905, and in that connection visited almost every portion of New Zealand, and studied the practical working out of the Dominion's land laws. In local politics he was member of the first Cheviot County Council, and for two years was president and eight yeara hon. secretary of the Cheviot Settlers' Association. He took a prominent part m the agitation for the construction of the Waipara-Blenheim railway. Mr Forbes has always taken a keen interest in athletics, especially football ; was a member for many years (and for two seasons captain) of the now defunct East Ohristchurch Football Club. He represented Canterbury on several occasions captaining them when* they defeated Otago in 1892, after a long; series of wing by the southern provinceMr Forbes was for many years 'a member 1 of the Union Rowing * Club, and represented that club on various occasions at regattas. He was also a competitor for several years at the Canterubry Amateur Athletic Club's gathering. He still retains his interest in athletics, and occupies m, rominent position on the executive of the> various athletic bodies in Cheviot. Htf ia also chairman of fche Mackenzie Domain Board. _ MR R. A. WRIGHT. Mr R. A. Wright, who has been elected! for Wellington South, is a" member of the firm of Wright and Carman, printers, Wellington. He v-aa born a* Dunedin, aoi -

■pent. his early life at Hokitika. He has resided in Wellington for 22 years. He has always been a -strong prohibitionist. He haa» been twice elected a member of the Wellington Licensing bench. He jfirst came into prominence as a speaker at the licensing election of 1905, when by jne&rm of openair meetings he greatly assisted the return of the "10 o'clock closing " ticket. Mr Wright is chairman of two co-operative building societies in Wellington. In politics he is independent Opposition- He favours a policy of reform. Is opposed to present party system. Believes in an elective executive. Thinks more economy should be exercised. Sinking funds should fee provided for loans. Condemns present mode of distributing Public AVorks FvmdXocaL bodies should be allowed greater expenditure. Powers, of licensing committees should be extended. Unsold Crown lands should be leased. Thinks Upper House should be elected — present electorates com', boned; in groups of four each, returning one member. Bible in sohoob question should }» referred to plebiscite. . In favour of bare majori y. p LUKE Mr John P. Luke, the elect of Wellington suburbs, is a member of the well-known -engineering and ironwork firm of Luke and' Co. He hats taken an active part in local | affairs for many years past, and is a member of Wellington City Council and the j Charitable Aid Board. Is a supporter of -the present Government. Is a leaseholder. Is not in favour of selljng any more Grown tands. Favours acquisition and settlement ■ot Nativ« land. - Private estates would be j cut up by process of graduated land tax. Workers' homes policy should be left to j municipalities/ Opposed to Bible-reading in schools. Local industries should be en--couraged in some cases by means of increased import duty. Condemns further large Tourist Department expenditure. Hospital and charitable aid districts should "be enlarged. Supports three-fifths majority. Legislative Council should be elective. - MR A. L. HERDMAN. Mr Alexander L. Hercfcman, the new member for Wellington North, wae born at Dunedin, educated at the Otago Boys' High School ; joined the National Bank ; studied , law, cund was admitted as barrister "and j -solicitor in 1894. Was elected Mayor of Naseby in 1898. Represented Mount Ida in the House of Representatives from 1902 "to 1905. He is a supporter of Mr Maseey. He says there is still a wide difference be- , irween the Government and the Opposition; that there are Socialistic elements in tho Ministry. Holds that the Second Ballot Act was passed to destroy the Labour party. Xs in favour of the establishment of aPublio Service Board, and placing railways in charge of commissioners. la of opinion j there has been excessive borrowing. Favours granting freehold y to Crown tenants at -original valuation. .Opposed to Bible-read-ing: in echools. Thinks reduction issue should be eliminated from no-license poll; against bare .majority. MR D. M'LAREN. Mr David M'Laren. the Labour candidate i ■who has been elected for Wellington East, is about 40 years of age. He received his education at the State schools in Dunedin, and in .his youth was engaged in the boot- . making industry. From the first he manifested strong Labour views, and for many years has been one of the •leaders in the trades union movement. When he went to Wellington-, come 10 or 12 years ago, he ' organised the wharf labourers, end that union is now the strongest in the Dominion. Mr M'Laren was responsible for the federation of the waterside workters of the Dominion, and is at the present time secretary of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union. For some years he has taken an active part in local politics in Wellingion. He has twice been elected a member of the Wellington Oity Council — a position which he holds at the present time, — is a member ©f the Trades Councjl and other bodies. MR W. NOSWORTHY. Mr William Nosworthy, the new member for Ashburton, who is not yet 40 years of age, is the eldest son of the late Mr S. Newsworthy. He was born in Canterbury, j and was educated first at a private school j and afterwards at the Boys' High School, Chrietchurch. He is a successful sheep and { agricultural farmer, residing six miles from Mount Somers, in the Ashburton district. He has been a member of the Anama Road Board for eight years, and chairman of that body for the past five years. He was also formerly a member of the Ashburton County Counoil. He has made * close study of politics for many years. He is a deeplyread <man, is possessed of a most tenacious memory, and has a great and ready command of language. His appearance as a. public platform speaker commenced with the present political campaign, and the able address he delivered created a most favourable impression. He would make a very keen and foreib 1 © debater in the House* and would be a 6taunch and valuable supporter of the present Opposition. He has broad, sound, liberal views "on, political questions, and is well able t« express them in a, clear, forcible, and courteous manner. MR B. DIVE. Mr Bradshaw Dive, the new representative 'of Egmont, is the son of a well-known ■ex-Hawera resident. Like his father, he took to the land, and has prospered. As a candidate for parliamentary honours his name was mentioned on more than one occasion, but not until the present time could he be prevailed upon to allow himself to he nominated. Meanwhile, however, lie has taken his share in local government, having served with credit on the Hawera County Counoil and other bodies. He is not an attractive speaker, but is possessed of a good deal of what the Americans call *' horse " sense, and no doubt will improve ■with experience. He is a comparatively young man, who has been reared in a Conservative atmosphere, but many of his ideas are as liberal as those of many labelled " Liberals." Determination is one of hie oharacteristics. MR L. R. PHILLDPPS. Mr Leonard R. Phillipps, the newly-elected member for Waitemata, is the fifth son of Mr John PhiHipps, of Auckland. He was bora- at Mount Albert in 1870. His inter■eßte have always been identified with farming pursuits, as he was engaged in agriculture for 30 years at Paeroa, in Helensville district. He took no part in public affairs. a-Whougb a keen student of the political 'doings of the country, until a branch of the Farmers' Union was formed at HelensviLle. He became one of the most enthusiastic members of the branch, end soon found himself elected chairman, a position he held for 6cven years, relinquishing it only about 18 months ago, when he left Helensville district. His energetic work as delegate to

'the Provincial Executive of the union soon brought him into prominence, and he was elected president for Auckland district. Last year ho made a comprehensive tour of South America, Canada, and Britain to investigate agricultural conditions elsewhere, and the knowledge he thus gained will be of value to Parliament in agricultural questions. Mr Phillipps will be remembered as. one of the most ardent leaders of the campaign against the Land Bill of 1906, and the work of the Auckland Freehold party in this regard played no 6mall part in inducing the Government to remodel the bill in 1907. One of hie friends describes him as "a freeholder of the bulldog type, and a bad snag for a Leasehold party to run asrainst.* 1 MR D. BUICK. j Mr David Buick, who succeeds Mr W. 1 T. Wood as the representative of Palmerston. wa3 born at Karcri, Wellington, in 1848, and is the son of th& late Mr William Buick, who arrived in New Zealand in the ship Arab in 1841. His parents removing to the Hutt in 1852, Mr Buick received his education there. He worked on his father's farm at the Hutt till 1867, when he took possession. Removing from the Hutt in 1885, Mr Buiek went to Palmerston North and purchased some 550 acres of first-class grazing land, situate about a mile and a- ! quarter from the Square. He has a fine , stock •of Romney Marsh sheep, and con- ! fines himself chiefly to breeding ewes. At all times Mr Buick has been a prominent member in local bodies, and also held the position "of lieutenant in the Petone Navals i during 1883 and 1884. Mr Buick, having i been requisitioned by a large number of , constituents, contested the Palmerston seat j at the general election in 1895, but was defeated.

DETAILS OF POLLING. DUNEDIN NORTH. G M THOMSON 3882 A. R. Barclay 3376 CHALMERS. E. H. CLARK 2655 E. G. Allen 2408 Majority for Mr Clark, 227. TUAPEKA. R. SCOTT 2477 J. A. Macpherson 17 «» , Majority «for Mr Scott, 694. WAITEMATA. L. R. PHILLIPS 3424 W. J. Napier 2517 OHINEMURI. H. POLAND :.. 2861 F. H. Heselden 2188 Two returns to come. GISBORNE. Hon. J. CARROLL ... ~ 3153 G. Darton -« ~ 2462 EGMONT. B. DIVE 2412 G. P. Wake .'. 2162 Majority for Mr Dive, 250. WANGANUI. J. T. HOGAN *3f96 G. Hutchison 2860 Majority for Mr Hogan, 738. PALMERSTON. D. BUICK ... ~. ... -. 2812 W. T. Wood 2716 Majority for Mr Buick, 96. PAHIATUA. R. B. ROSS , ... 2020 J. C. Cooper 1762 Majority for M,r Ross,, 258. MANAWATU. J!. NEWMAN ~ 2635 . Stevens 2054 HAWKE'S BAY. A. DILLON ... 3199 Sir W. R. Russell 2495 WELLINGTON NORTH. A. L. HERDMAN.., ... ... 3698 ¥. G. Bolton - ... 2898 Majority for Mr Herdman, 800. WELLINGTON EAST. D. M'LAREN 3446 A. R. Atkinson 3019 for Mr M'Laren, 427. WELLINGTON SOUTH. R. A. WRIGHT ... _ ... 3366 \V. H. P. Barber 2984 Majority for Mr Wright, 382. WELLINGTON SUBURBS. J. P. LUKE 3884 J. E. Fitzgerald 2736 Majority for Mr Luke, 1148. NELSON. J. GRAHAM ... ... 2899 H. Atmore — ... 2862 HURUNUL G. FORBES ..# 2150 O. F. Clothier - ... 1553 AVON. G. W. RUSSELL , 3426 • W. W. Tanner „ 2834 ASHBURTON. W. NOSWORTHY 3014 ' F. R-Flatman 2267 Majority for Mr Nosworthy, 747. • GERALDINE. T. BUXTON ... ~ 2343 W. Jeffries ~* hx 2254 9to return to oome. .