POLITICAL PORTRAITS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19812, 2 December 1919, Page 6

POLITICAL PORTRAITS.

THE PERSONAL SIDE. SKETCHES OF CANDIDATES.

Mr Henry Hollnnd, 0.13 E., J.P., hopes to add the coveted M.P. to his namo before the year is out. He is one of the most amiable men that ever stepped into public life, and his popu» larity was evidenced by his record term of seven years as Mayor, covering the whole of the war period, ami it was conceded on all hands that no man could have worked more faithfully in the- manifold duties of a war-time Mayor. .Mr Holland was born in Yorkshire, England, on December 7, 1809. Jlis parents, Mr and Mrs Robert Holland, arrived in New Zealand in October. 18-U3, and settled in West Melton on a small farm, which was then in its native state. At West Melton he received his early education in a private school, and subsequently he attended the West Melton and Halkctt Schools. About 18-31 .\lr Holland commenced farming on Ins own account at Greendale, where he remained until 1898, when he acquired the business of Mr \V. A. M'Laren, and earned on as a general haulago eontractor, and importer of traction engines and machinery. In church work .Mr Holland has ahvavs taken an active part. Early in life he attached himself to the Primitive Methodist Church, and for some years filled tho ofiico of Sunday School secretary for .New Zealand. He also held the office of vice-president of that church, and in 190S was appointed lav delegate to the English conference. Since the union of the Methodist ehurehc..; in flew Zealand he has held the highest o/lice available for laymen. Alter his visit to England he became keenly interested m local self-government, and in ]!)1] stood for a seal; on the City Council, and was placed within one of tho top ol the poil. A year later be resigned to contest tho Mayoral election, and was successful. lie coniested ilm,-. position on live occasions, and was never (hiGu bis last election he was returned with 12,117 votes, defeating his opponent by nearly 7(H!I) votes. In addition to holding tho office of Mayor, .Mr Holland has been a member of 'the West Chnstcliurch DistrH. High School Committee for sixteen years. He was appointed J.P. in VMi. " For seven years He was chairman of the M'Lean Board of Governors, and lor eight years a member of tho Eire Hoard. Ho lias been chairman of the Returned Soldiers' Club from its inception, and member of the Domain* Jioard, Drainage Hoard, Beautifying Association, Lyttelton Harbour Board and National War funds Council. He, assisted in the inauguration of the Canterbury Progress League, the Canterbury Patriotic Fund and the Ottra Tunnel League, and took an active part in the Red Cross, Lady Liverpool Fund and Citizens' Defence Corps, and all other war organisations. In recognition of his war work, in lf)|,S, he was appointed an 0.8. K., and subsequently was )»!\dea Commander of tin: Order. !n 1885 Mr Holland was man led to Miss Eastwood, and there were ei'dit children of the union. On.' son was lulled in the Great War.