OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 22297, 12 April 1934, Page 7

OBITUARY

SIR EDWIN MITCHELSON DEATH FOLLOWING OPERATION OUTSTANDING SERVICE (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, April 11. The death of the Hon. Sir Edwin Mitchelson, K.C.M.G., M.L.C., aged 88, occurred this evening. He had not enjoyed good health in recent years and on Monday night a major surgical operation was performed. On Tuesday it was announced that his condition was causing grave anxiety. There was no improvement to-day, death occurring in the evening. Sir Edwin rendered outstanding service to Auckland and the Dominion, playing a prominent part in politics, local government and civic activities. In Auckland he was best known to the public by his association with the Auckland Racing Club, of which he was president for 30 years. He was responsible for the establishment of the beautiful Ellerslie gardens. He is survived by Lady Mitchelson, one son and one daughter.

Sir Edwin Mitchelson was born in 1846, and educated at St. Matthews parish school, Auckland. For the first two years after the Counties Act came into force he held the position of Hobson county clerk. He was M.P. for Marsden from 1881 to 1884, and from 1884 to 1896 he represented the Eden electorate. He held the portfolios of Public Works and Railways in 1883 and again in 1884, and from 1887 to 1891 he was Minister for Railways and Native Affairs, and Postmaster-General. He held office as acting-Prime Minister, Colonial Treasurer, and Commissioner of Customs during 1890 and 1891. From 1903 to 1905 he was Mayor of Auckland and was chairman of the Remuera Road Board from 1903 to 1906. He was a member of the Auckland University College Council from 1903 to 1905, and was a member of the Grammar School Board for the same period. For foui' years he was chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Sir Edwin Mitchelson served in the first company militia during the Maori War. SIR GERALD DU MAURIER. DISTINGUISHED ACTOR. (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 1.15 a.m.) London. April 11. The death is announced of Sir Gerald du Maurier, Sir Gerald du Maurier, the actormanager, was born in March, 1873, as the son of George du Maurier, the Punch artist and author of “Trilby,” and was educated at Harrow. He first appeared on the stage at the Garrick in 1894. Next year he toured with Forbes-Robertson and joined Tree’s company, accompanying it to the United States in 1896. In 1910 he became connected with Frank Curzon in the management of Wyndham’s Theatre. He joined the Army as a cadet in the Irish Guards in 1918 and did not return to the stage till September, 1919. He was the author of the play, “A Royal Rival” and part author of “The Dancers” with Viola Tree and “Charles I end II” with his brother, Guy. As an actor he had a singular dominating personality that held and fascinated. He could speak volumes in gestures and captivated all hearts by his smile. At first he seemed to amble through his part in a devil-may-care style, but gradually his detachment grew into tense emotion. His humour was infectious and his love-making full of charm. He could be the modern man of the world or a creature of fantasy. It was this latter gift that made him so successful in the Barrie plays in which he appeared. Du Maurier was knighted in 1922. In 1927 he made a very outspoken criticism of his profession in relation to its benevolent fund. He complained that actors earning big money never gave a cent to it and that most of the people who applied for help were in the same position. Among the plays in which he was seen were “Raffles” and “Brewster’s Millions,” in which he made a great hit, “The Red Lamp,” “Trilby.” “The Seats of the Mighty,” “The Ware Case,”

“London Pride.” “Trelawny of the Wells,” “The Choice,” “The Prude’s Fall,” “Bull-Dog Drummond,” “Not in Our Stars.” “To Have the Honour,” “A Slice of Life.” “Passers-By,” “Arsene Lupin,” “Jelf’s,” “Doormats,” “The Clever Ones,” “A Country Mouse,” “Cynthia” and “Merely Mary Ann.” He was the original Captain Hock and Mr Darling in “Peter Pan” and the other Barrie plays in which he appeared were “Little Mary,” “Dear Brutus,” “A Kiss for Cinderella,” “What Every Woman Knows” and “The Admirable Crichton.”