POLITICAL PORTRAITS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19814, 4 December 1919, Page 6

POLITICAL PORTRAITS.

THE PERSONAL SIDE. SKETCHES OF CANDIDATES. (No. 1)

The present Liberal member for Riooartou was born in North Fcrriby, Yorkshire, on Juno 4. 1850, the sou of Thomas and Matilda Witty. After receiving education at the village school J m_cmignite(l to New Zealand in April, 1875. Twelve years of hard work, and Mr M itty qualified for public office, becoming a member of the Templeton Road Board, ami a year later gaining a seat on tho Templeton Domain Board. Only one year more elapsed before his services became so generally appreciated that he was elected to the bolwyn County Council. Another year and he was made a member of the Cashmere Hills Domain Board. In tho same year lie was elected to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and tho Uiccarton Licensing Committee. Ho had been in the first faithful in tho few things,_ and gradually he was given authority in many. So well pleased \vith liis work did tho people of his district become that in 1902 they placed in him the groat, trust of electing him their representative in tho House of Representatives-a position which he has n.iod over shire. A further office, that of a representative on the Lvttolton Harbour Board, fell to him in 1904. Mr Witty is also a prominent member of the Sclwyn Plantation Board. Ho ts a. staunch Liberal, and enjoys a degree of personal ponularity winch is n tribute to his amiable qualities. No. 5.

*M.r James Al’Combs, wlio was elected to represent Lyttelton at a by-election on December 9. 11)13, in succession to tlu> late Mr George Lauronson, was born in Ireland about forty-six years ago. ami came do Mow Zealand with his parents when ho was throe years of age. lie received his education at the Last Christchurch Slate School, and after leaving the school studied philosophy and theology, with tire idea oi preparing for the ministry. The course of his studies was altered by ni wide reading of sociology, ami he subsequently took up social and political work. lie was a member of the, old Progressive (liberal Association in Christeliureb, and before be contested a seat on Jus own account lie had gained no small knowledge of campaigning. lie was secretary to Mr 11. (>. Jtll s committee on one occasion, and he also organised on behalf of the’ late Mr 1. b. I aylor. He became particularly prominent, in the no-licenso movement, and organised two campaign;; on behalf of the Canterbury MoLicenso Council, of which he has been president for the past two years. He contested the Hast Christchurch seat in 1908, and at the 1911 general election was defeated, in the Avon electorate in the second ballot by the Hon G. AV. Russell. His last appeal to the public wa s in connection with the Christchurch Mayoralty, when Dr Thacker was elected. Mr M’Combs was a bad third on that occasion. In the previous Mayoral contest he sustained a staggering defeat at the hands of Mr H. Holland, the issue then being “conscription,”’ with Mr M’Oombs representing the ’antis.” As to patriotic work in connection with the war, if Air ai-’Cmiibs did any ho hid the light of it most effectively under a bushel.