MR GEORGE TALBOT.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13020, 8 February 1911, Page 6 (Supplement)

MR GEORGE TALBOT.

(From "The Colonist," Feb 4.) The death occurred at Richmond yesterday morning of Mr Georgo Talbot, a gentleman who for a- long period occupied and until quite recently a prominent position in the public affairs of this district. It is not long since Mr Talbot retired from public affairs, and in the interval his health had not been good, so that the end was not altogether unexpected. The deceased gentleman came to Nelson in 1858 in the ship Crcsswell, and was engaged in business at Richmond till 1872, when he retired. He was the first Mayor of Richmond, and held that position for thirteen consecutive years. He was long a member of the Education Board, and for years chairman of that body. He was a member of the Victoria College Council, was treasurer of the Nelson Harbour Board while a member of *the Board, a member of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for a number of years, and a very active member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, being treasurer of that body also for a long period. Mr Talbot also for many years as a Justice of the Peace regularly performed magisterial duty at- Briglitwater, and altogether it would be difficult to find one who had served in so many public capacities for so long a period and with so much satisfaction to Jiis constituents. His public life was characterised by ability and a broadmindedness and kindly attitude towards those who might disagree with him that enabled him to discharge his duties without sacrificing either frio-ndsliips or principles.'ln private life his virtues were those of a kindly Christian gentleman, and it is not too much to say that ho was honoured and esteemed by all who came into contact with him. Mr Talbot's wife predeaceased him in 1907, a few weeks after they had celebrated their golden wedding, which was marked by a public presentation in view of the long record of public services rendered by the deceased. The surviving daughters are Miss Talbot, of Richmond; Mesdames J. H. Harkncss, West-port; G. A. Harkuess, Nelson; O'Hara-Smith, Richmond; Miss Clara Talbot, Masterton ; and Miss Ethel Talbot, Richmond. Dr Talbot t.ind Mr Norman Talbot, both of Christcburch, are the sons. There was a large and representative gathering at the Richmond cemetery on Sunday, at the funeral of MiGeorge Talbot. The chief mourners were Dr Talbot and Mr Norman Talbot, of Christehurch, sons of deceased, and Messrs G. A. Harkness and J. H. Harkness, sons-in-law. The pall bearers were drawn from among members of the local bodies upon which Mr Talbot had served, being as follows :— Messrs A. T. M'agiunity (Education Board); James Hunt (Richmond Borough Council), T. Bell (Hospital and Charitable Aid Board), W. Coleman (Harbour Board), W. R. May (Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association) W. D. Harkness (Richmond School Committee)'. Among thoset present were the Mayor of Nelson (Mr T. Pettit) and the Town Clerk (Mr G. A. Edmonds), who attended as a reprei sentative .of the Baptist Church, of ' which the late Mr Talbot was a member ; Mr J. Graham M.P. (Chairman of the Harbour Board); Mr P. Best (Chairman of tho Waimea County Council), and Mr J. Piper, a former colleague 0.11 .many public bodies. The funeral service was conducted by tho Rev Stanley Jenkin and the Rev A. J. Carr. A large number of wreaths and other expressions of sympathy were riiceived by the bereaved family. Before the ordinary business of tho City Council was commenced at last night's meeting, the Mayor referred to tho death of Mr Talbot, who, ho said, had filled an important place in tho public life of the district, and had been one of their most respected public men. As Mayor of Richmond for many years ho bad been closely identified with municipal polities. Ho moved that a letter of condolence be sent to Mr Talbot's family.

The resolution was seconded by Cr I-'ield and carried in silence, the councillors standing.

■At the meeting of the Harbour Hoard yesterday a resolution was passed that a letter of condolence be sent to the family of the late Mr Talbot, of Richmond. Mr Talbot was one of the original members of tho Harbour Board.