NEW MEMBERS IN PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7982, 28 September 1887, Page 2

NEW MEMBERS IN PARLIAMENT.

WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. [specially prepared for the tauanaki HER4XD.] Taranaki. — Mr. Qeorgr Albert MarCHANT, the new member for Taranaki, is about 38 years of a»e, and belongs to an old Devonshire family, though a Londonor by birth. He was educated at King's College School, and brought up to mercantile pursuits. The London winters being too trying, and also perhaps feeling the need of more elbow room, he came to New Zealand, and landed in Wellington in 1873. He came to live on the Mountain Road, in the Stratford district, in the same year, and helped to open the country up. He settled in the Kakaramea bush several years, drove bullocks, and prospered considerably. His farm was too small, and still feeling need for more elbow room, he took lip three hundred acres of fine' land near Stratford, and made a good farm of it. He was one of the first members of the Hawera County Council, and belonged to other of the local bodies. He has also been twioe eleoted as a member of the New Plymouth Harbour Roard. He has genial and social qualities whioh have caused him to make many friends, and they have worked hard to secure his return. Newton. — The new member for Newton, Mr. Edwabd Withey, who has defeated Hon, J. A. Tole, is a native of Bristol. In 1860 he was apprenticed to an iron shipbuilder at Messrs. Marks, Richardson, Buckland & Co., of Stockton-on-Tees. In 1865 he was appointed by the firm to supervise the contracts of the firm with the P9P 9 and 0. Co., and' on completion o£ the contracts the latter Company offered him an appointment in their service, which he accepted, and in this capacity he made a trip round the Cape to Bombay in 1867, and spent some time in sketching and increasing his acquaintance with the work required of steamers. In returning to England he spent a week on' the Isthmus of Suez, inspecting the great canal works then nearing completion. In 1869 he resigned his appointment in order to become a partner in a new shipbuilding firm at Hartlepool. He continued in this business until May, 1884, and besides doing extensive repairs to steamers belonging to his late employers, added 130 cargo and passenger steamers to the mercantile marine. He was several times called upon to give evidence before Royal Commissions as to stability of vessels and the question of fixing a safe load line. Mr. Withey early became and still remains a member of several technical societies, including the Institution of Naval Architects, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Iron and Steel Institute, and Cleveland Institute of Engineers. Through the annual Buuamer meetings of these bodies he had extensive opportunities of visiting and becoming acquainted with the operations of many of the largest industrial establishments of England, and several on the Continent. In politics Mr. Withey was an adherent of the advanced Liberal party, and is an original member of the National Liberal Club, established in 1883. He was one of the undenominational members of the first School Board elected for West Hartlepool, after the passing, of the Education Act of 1871. In the course of technical education he was one of the original promoters, and for two years was President of a. University Extension Association, whioh was the means of bringing skilled lecturers from the University of Cambridge. In 1884, having acquired a competency, Mr. Withey retired from business, and decided to settle in New Zealand with his family, consisting of thirteen souls. The temperance bodies g«ve him a block vote at the late election, which largely contributed to his return. - Franklin North.— Mr. Fbank Lawry, who defeated Mr. W. F. Buckland for Franklin North, is a native of the fatuous Cheddar Valley, and has been engaged all his life in agricultural pursuits. He came to Auckland in 1864, and is an active member of local boards, educational committees, and agricultural associations. He also served on the Auckland Education Board. He contested Franklin South with Mr. Hamlin on one ooqasion, but was defeated by a small majority. At the previous election to the present, he contested Onehunga with Sir Maurice O'Rorke, but was defeated. Mr. Lawry is much esteemed by his fellow settlers for his personal reputation, and he is an excellent representative for the agricultural districts. He is proprietor of the Auckland Dairy, keeping three hundred cows. Manden.— Mr. Robert S. Thompson, the new member for Marsden, is a native of Belfast, and came to the colony fifteen years ago. He is an estate and commission agent and auctioneer at Whangarei. Ho is an active member of the local Boards, chairman of Whangarei Harbor Board and of the County Council ; he has a thorough knowledge of agricultural matters, a good settler, widely known and respected in tho district, and a man of considerable ability. Christchurch South. — Mr. W. B. Percival, who has been returned for Lhristchurch South, is New Zealand born. Having studied for the law, he passed his examination and took up the practise of his profession. He has not until lately taken much part in public affairs, his debut being made in connection with the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway. He became a member of the League, aud worked very zealously in the direction of helping on the work. He has spoken on several occasions publicly, but until he came forward as a • candidate for Christchurch South, was never prominently before the public Linwood.— Mr. A. Loughrey, the member for Linwood, like Mr. Percival, has developed somewhat suddenly into a public man. He was born in Australia, and comes from a clever family. One of hie brothers is a M.D. in Melbourne of high repute, though young in years; and another brother has held for some time the position of assistant-engineer to the city of Melbourne. Had he not left to throw in hiß future in New Zealand, he would have no doubt succeeded to the engineerßhip which shortly after became vacant. He had, however, attained the position of City Engineer in Wellington. Mr. Loughrey, previous to his arrival in New Zealand, held the position of Inspector of Schools in Victoria, and travelled over the greater part of that colony. On arriving in Christchurch he turned his attention to educational work, and was appointed head master of the East Christchurch school, where he won golden opinions, both from tho parents of the children under his charge and the Board of Education. An oilier to resume his Inspectorship in Victoria, however, tempted him once more to Victoria, and much to the regret oil a large circle of friends ho resigned the mastership of the East Christohurch school. After a short" stay in Victoria ho once more returned to Canterbury, and having takeu his degree in Melbourne passed his examination in New Zealand in law, aud was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supremo Court of N.Z.; he first joined in partnership with Air. M. C. Counell, but subsequently entered into partnership with Mr. Geo. Holmes, a connection which still exists. Wlien the Irish Riflo Volunteer Company was i'ornitiil Mr. Loughroy was ofiored and accepted tho captaincy o£ the company, aid ho still holds that position. As an otlilole Mr, Loughrey at one timo was facile princepa, and his geniality has macta him Uoopa g£ friends,

St. Albans.~llr. W. P. Reeves, the now member for St. Albans, will add yet another to the Hat of New Zealanders who have achieved the distinction of entering the Parliament of the country. He was educated at Christchurch College, and studied for the law, passing his examination as barrister and solicitor, though he did Dot practice to any extent. Shortly after bis admission he relinquished the law for the profession of journalism, and has for some time been connected with tha literary staff of the Canterbury Times and Lyttel on Times. In the cricket field Mr. Reeves, like many other college boys, has made a name for hiiaself, he has played in several interprovincial matches, and in playing for his club . has been successful in compiling large scores.