MR A. C. HOLMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14143, 14 June 1920, Page 6

MR A. C. HOLMS.

BRIEF STUDY OF HIS CAREER. It is with regret that we announce the departure of another of our prominent citizens, this time Air A. C. Holms, ex-Dcputy-Alayor, who has been a resident of this town for over 16 years (says the Featherston correspondent of the Car toy ton News). His departure is due to continued ill-health arising from a nervous breakdown several years ago, and acting on medical advice, Mr Holms is severing his connections with public bodies in ieatherston and intends leaving at the end of the present month. In giving a brief biography of this young Wairarapa publicist, we can only state that the first few years of his residence in Featherston were typical of his recent public' activities. In 1907 lie went to Canada (in which country he had several years’ mining experience, and in which connection he also ‘made good ) with a party of footballers, whose mission it. was' to promote New Zealand methods iii British Columbia football circles, visiting all parts of the British Empire before returning to Feathr crs.tou in 1910. As characteristic of subsequent public activities, it may be •mentioned that even before he had reached manhood years he had been secretary and captain of the local football chib, secretary of the Wairarapa Thursday Rugby Union, promoter and secretary-treasurer of the Featherston Athletic" Club, manager of the physical training school, secretary of the Gun Club, and a mover and first secretary of the Fire Brigade, as.well as taking part in local and general politics, particularly in his role as a country newspaper writer. During liis sojourn abroad. Air Holms was able to render some service to Imperial politics, both in Canada and the Home Land, in which lie has always been keenly interested. He was for a number of years clerk to the Town Board, and later Town Commissioner and Treasurer, a Borough Councillor, and finally Dyputy-Alayor, occupying these positions several years in each case, gaining the almost unanimous confidence of the electors-on four occasions, including a record poll. It is worthy of note as indicating thoroughness, that the Featherston Borough Council was the only local body to submit a definite schedule for a, basis of contributions towards bridges, etc., on a logical foundation, .which, with onlv one amendment, unfortunately for the Carterton Borough Council, was adopted by the Commissioner, Air Holms receiving due public congratulations.

The mark of civic, respectability was placed upon Afr Holms a few years ago when he was appointed to the cornmistion of a Justice of the Pence by the National Government. Another phase of local body endeavour is his being in clerkship for over eight years to the South Wairarapa River Bpard. Incidentally it may be mentioned, though rather young for such an honour, he. can lay claim to having founded the Borough of Featherston in 1917. In educational circles Air Holms has been ever active, ranking as a past secretary and chairman of the local committee’and initiator and first president of the South Wairarapa School Coimiiittees ’ Association. In the sphere of patriotic endeavour, he is best known for liis local and national work on behalf of the soldiers and their dependents, notably in the framing of' the schedule of pensions and allowances in connection with the Second Division propaganda, which strongly influenced Parliamentary legislation; also in af-

firming the loyal constitution of the League. His active .service in the Friendly Society movement in the Wairarapa, Wellington Province, and Dominion Oddfellow circles is well known, no having been secretary to his lodge, president of tine Wairarapa. organisation, Provincial Grand Alaster, and Dominion delegate. The subject of this sketch lias been for about eight years treasurer to the Wairarapa Automobile Association and Insurance Company, and for several years held the otfice of secretary. In the field of athletics lie is best known as having been for several seasons a senior representative footballer, a hockey exponent, and a well-known performer in sprint events. Other local activities include the presidency of the Literacy and Debating Society, secretary and trustee of the District Horticultural and Industrial Society, president of the Bowling Club, patron and trustee of the Liberal Football Club, secretary to the Presbyterian Church, lion, autitor to St. John's Church, and a- committeeman in various institutions. Need we mention the netable fight, he put up at the Genqval Election as \an Independent candidate for the Alasterton seat —liis native centre, he having been born in Alasterton —showing that it almost fully appreciated his non-party, patriotic and democratic ideals.