DEATH OF SIR JOHN LUKE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1931, Page 5

DEATH OF SIR JOHN LUKE

NOTABLE PUBLIC CAREER. MANY YEARS IN PARLIAMENT. Sir John Pearce Luke, whose death occurred at Wellington on Monday, was a member of Parliament for 13 years and Mayor of Wellington for eight years. Sir John was first elected to Parliament in 1908 as Independent Liberal member for Wellington Suburbs and he served a term in the House of Representatives. A member of the Wellington City Council from 1898 to 1900, he was elected to the Mayoralty in 1913 and attained prominence for his services during the years of the Great War and the influenza epidemic. He returned to Parliament in 1918 while still Mayor ana was member for Wellington North for ten years until he was defeated at the 19*28 general election by the Labour Party’s candidate, Mr. C. H. Chapman. A further bid for Parliamentary honours was made by Sir John at last Wednesday’s election, but the Wellington North seat was retained by Mr. Chapman, and Sir John was behind Mr. G. A. Troup at the poll. Previously a member of the Reform Party, Sir John stood at the last election as an Independent. His state of health during the campaign" was such that he was advised by his doctor against making 'public appearances and his policy was made known to the public by pamphlets and through the newspapers. In spite of these serious disadvantages, Sir John received a solid vote. Born at Penzance, Cornwall, Sir John arrived at Wellington' when he was IB years of age. In 1879 he was associated with other members of his family in establishing the engineering and ironfoundry business of Messrs. S. Luke and Company. He was j'oint manager and director until the firm was -merged with Messrs. Niven and Company. For many years Sir John was president of the New Zealand Engineers and Ironmasters’ Association and he held the position of president of the Wellington Industrial Association. At an early stage of his career he took an active interest in education and served on school committees. He showed a keen interest in questions of civic welfare and, upon his election to the Wellington City Council, he was identified with a number of progressive movements. Sir John established superannuation for municipal employees and a retiring - allowance, a special Act being passed. A chairman of the Wellington Hospital Board, he also participated in other public activities, being a member, of the Technical Education Board and the Navy League, while he was prominent in charitable, aid activities. As Mayor, he was a conspicuous figure during the strike of 1913, when he managed a difficult situation with tact and firmness. Sir John’s service in Parliament was distinguished by his efforts for education and he was a member of committees dealing with the question. He also was chairman of the Labour Bills Committee and the Municipal Joint Committee. He was knighted in 1921. Tn 1880 Sir John married Miss Jaeobina McGregor, daughter of the late Mr. H. A. McGregor, Government inspector of machinery and' marine surveyor. There are four sons and one daughter.