SIR GEORGE HUNTER PASSES

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1930, Page 11

SIR GEORGE HUNTER PASSES

LONG PUBLIC CAREER ENDS. TRIBUTES PAID IN PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tho death occurred to-day of Sir George Hunter, M.P. for Waipawa, aged 71. Sir George was a large sheepfarmer at Porangahau. He represented Waipawa from 1896-99 and from 1911 to date. He was a member of the .Waipawa County Council for many years, and president of the Council of Agriculture. lie was a prominent horse owner, and a life member of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. He was interested in the Gaming Amendment Act, which ho introduced in the House on several occasions. After - the war he gave land worth £30,000 for soldier settlers. In tho House of Representatives yesterday the Prime Minister moved that the House express its high sense of appreciation of the devoted services rendered to New Zealand by Sir George Hunter and tender its sincere sympathy to his relatives. Mr. Forbes said Sir George Hunter had always been very fair and just and had held the respect of all who had known him. He had been kindly and courteous and at the same 'time had always undertaken his duties in a very thorough way. Because of his interest in racing Sir George had had to take charge of numerous bills bearing on sport, and although he had often been faced with great difficulties he had met them in the most friendly spirit. Mr. J. G. Coates said Sir George Hunter had been one of the smany worthy pioneers who could be named as examples to the youth of the Dominion. He had been a stock breeder of note and his interest in racing had always been characterised by sportsmanship. He had also taken keen interest in all forms of healthy sport and his personality had won him the greatest esteem. He had been kindly, courteous, honourable and always willing to help. He would be sadly missed in the district to which he belonged and would leave a gap it would be hard to fill. The deputy-Leader of the Labour Party endorsed the tributes paid Ijy previous speakers.. Sir George Hunter, he said, had been one of the'most popular members who had occupied a seat in the House in recent years. He had scarcely seemed to have belonged to any party but had first, last and always been a man. Mr. E. A. Ransom said he had known Sir George. Hunter personally and in-, timately for over 40 years. There was no man with whom one could work more congenially. Mr. 11. M. Campbell, stated be also had known Sir. George Hunter for approximately forty years. He had never, niade an enemy and his loss would be a severe one to Hawke’s Bay. Additional tributes -were paid by Messrs. >Field,- Sullivan, Fraser and Mason andthe House then adjourned at 3.10 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. as. a mark of respect to the memory of Sir George Hunter. ’ ..

FINANCE BIL£ PASSES THROUGH.

' Wellington, Last Night. The Legislative . Council yesterday after a brief adjournment as a tribute of respect to the late Sir George Hunter, passed the Presbyterian Church Property Amendment Bill; the Man-ao-ers of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Congregation (Oamaru) Bill; The Law Practitioners Amendment Bill; the New Zealand University Amendment Bill; the Judicature Amendment Bill; the Prevention of Crime (Borstal Institutions Establishment) Amendment, Bill, and the Coroners Amendment Bill. The Finance Bill was received from the House and accorded urgency. Speaking upon its third reading, Sir Francis Bell said if it had not been fei unusual circumstances some opposition would have been shown to the pioposals, all of which he detested. The Bill was passed and the Council adjourned at 5.25 p.m. till 3.30 p.m. to-morrow. A funeral service for Sir George Hunter will be held at St. Peter s Church, Wellington, to-morrow morning, after which the body will be taken by the 9.15 train to Waipukurau where tho funeral takes place.