OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21379, 23 June 1939, Page 13

OBITUARY

SIR THOMAS WILFORD j By Telegraph —Press Association WELLINGTON, June 22. Sir Thomas Wilford, former Liberal leader, died shortly after two o'clock this afternoon. He was 69 years of age. Sir Thomas Wilford, whose vivid personality was remarkable even among world personalities, was an outstanding success as New Zealand’s High Commissioner, and throughout his long public life he was recognised as an exceptionally able man. He was born in Wellington m 1870, and was educated at Wellington College and Christ’s College. He took to law as a profession. He was a junior partner in a firm for three years and then began practice on his own account, building a prosperous business. Sir Thomas began his political career at the age of twenty-three, when he stood unsuccessfull j’ for Wellington Suburbs. Three years later he won the same seat, but was unseated. He won it again in 1899, and from 1903 till 1930, when he was appointed High Commissioner, he represented the Hutt

electorate. He held that post until 1934. He wa Chairman of Committees in 1909, and Minister of Justice and Marine in the National ” ove. nment for two years. He was Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party from 1919 to 1925. He held the fortfolios of Justice and Defence in the Ward Government in 1928 and la2.'. In the latter year he was made a K.C., and in 1930 the h.mour of K.C.M.G. was conferred on him.

Many sports claimed Sir Thomas’s interest. At one time he was a representative footballer. His sporting activities included hunting, shoctmg flyfishing, and racing. He was a keen judge of a horse, and while Minister of Justice he equipped the mounted police with excepticnrlly fine horses, for whose welfare he made himself personally responsible.

Sir Thomas earned the reputation cf being among the wittiest speakers the House of Repress! tatives has r/er known. He was seldom at a lost r or the telling, humorous phrase that made his public speaking a jov to the hearer. He was a born raconteur. Naturally, in so long a Parliamentary career (he was Father of the House when his appointment as High Commissioner came), Sir Thome - served on many local and semi-public bodies, and all of them feL the benefit of his keen brain and far-sighted vision. His particular hobby ’ as the study of Pacific relations, especially in the light Of naval defence. REV. BROTHER MARTIN The Reverend Brother Martin, of the Marist Brothers, who died last Saturday, was born in Sydney, N.S.W., but when he was quite young his parents come to New Zealand, and took up residence in Napier. About the age of 15, he went back to Sydney to join the Marist Brothers, going first to St. Mary’s Seminary, and later to St. Joseph’s Novitiate, Hunter’s Hill. For several years after finishing his training, he taught in the Brothers’ schools in Australia, being stationed at various times in St. Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill, S/:red Heart School, Darlinghurst, Kilmore and South Australia. About 40 years ago he came back to New Zealand and at one time or another taught in the Sacred Heart College, Auckland, Pitt Street Auckland, Wanganui. Wellington, Hamilton, and Timaru. About six years ago, while teaching in Invercargill his health broke down, and he was brought to the Marist Brothers’ Novitiate, Claremont, Timaru.

The Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul, was sung by the Rev. Father S. O'Connor, S.M., who also officiated at the graveside in the Marist Brothers’ own cemetery at Claremont.