OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19596, 7 June 1935, Page 6

OBITUARY

MRS E. R. McCOMBS.

FIRST WOMAN IN HOUBE.

SERVICES TO LOCAL BODIES

WELLINGTON, Friday

The death occurred in Wellington at an early hour this morning of Mrs Elizabeth Reid McCombs, Labour member of Parliament for Lyttelton. She had been in ill-health for some months. Mrs McCombs, who was a native of Kaiapoi, after holding various offices in connection with local government in Christchurch, was elected to the House of Representatives in succession to her husband, the late Mr James McCombs, on September 13, 1933. She was the first woman to enter the New Zealand r > '"’ l iament. She had

made previous attempts to gain election, always standing in the interests of the Labour Party of which both she and her husband were members. She took her seal in the House a few days after her election and attended to her legislative duties with close attention •until last session, when she was obliged to seek leave of absence owing to illness.

SOUTHERN TRIBUTE.

WORK IN CHRISTCHURCH. DEVOTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Mrs McCombs leaves a record of national and civic service that will remain an inspiration for generations, first as a wife and able helper of the late Mr James McCombs, and then on her own account as a representative of tiie women of New Zealand in Parliament. She gave of her best in pi biic service. During her years in Parliament, her supporters and admirers —and tiny ran into many thousands —saw with anxious eyes that on eacli successive public appearance, this indomitable woman was becoming more and more fragile. The gallant spirit that had carried her so far in her brilliant career was undaunted, but many saw her strength was being overtaxed and that site was sacrificing herself on the altar of service to her fellows. She was a greatly loved and respected woman, and her admirers are of all shades of political opinion. Above all was recognised her active sympathy for Hie less fortunate, and, indeed, this was what actuated her throughout her public life. Mrs McCombs is survived by a son, Mr Terence H. McCombs, and a daughter, Miss Alison Patricia McCombs. Other members of Mrs McCombs’ family are three sisters, Miss Alice Henderson, for nearly 40 years missionary of the Presbyterian Church in India, Miss Christina Henderson, a well-known social worker, and Mrs E. F. Allan, lady editor of the Melbourne Argus, and a brother, Mr A. J. Henderson, editor of Christchurch Times.

VISCOUNT BYNG OF VIMY. A DISTINGUISHED CAREER. GREAT SERVICES IN WAR. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, June G. The death has occurred of Viscount Byng of Vimy.

The late Viscount Byng was born in September, 1562, his father being the second Earl of Strafford. He raised and led the South African Light Horse, which served with the army in Natal, during the South African war, and look part in the relief of Ladysmith. In October, 1914, lie took the 3rd Cavalry Division to France, and was put in command of the Cavalry Corps in June, 1915. Two months later he was sent, to the Dardanelles as head of the 9th Army Corps in the Suvla area, from which he evacuated his men successfully in December. His corps Mien, went, to Egypt, but he was brought to the Western Front to command Ilic 17th Army Corps, and in May, 191 G took over the Canadian Army Corps. in June, 1917, he was put in charge of the 3rd Army, which lie led till (ho end of ihc war. He was raised to the peerage in 19 19 as Baron Byng of Vimy and Thorpe-lc-Soken, and received a granl of £30.000. He retired from active service in 1919. Hi June, 1921, Lord Byng was made Governor-General of Canada. In Oi'lober, 192(5, Lord Byng was made a viseounl, hut Ihc gazetting of 11 1 e honour was held up for 13 months because iie. refused to pay tho tees, remarking that lie did not sec why lie, should pay nearly £BOO lot: an honour for which a politician paid nothing. In July, 1928, he was made Commissioner of Metropolitan Police. Lord Byng was married in 19u2 to

Miss Marie Moreton, an authoress, only child of the late Sir Richard Moreton. There is no lieir to the viscounty.

MR GEORGE GROSSMITH.

WELL-KNOWN ACTOR-MANAGER. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 7, 2-30 p.m.) LONDON, June G. The death is announced of Mr George Grossmitli, llirj. well-known actormanager, at the age of Gi years. Deceased had been managingdirector of the Drury Lane Theatre since 1931. He made his stage debut in “ Haste to the Wedding,” an operetta by Sir W. .S. Gilbert and George Grossmitli, sent*., and then followed a long list of successes in musical comedy, including several years at the Gaiety Theatre in “ Our Miss Gibbs,” “ Sally," “ No, No, Nanette,” “ To-night’s the Night,” etc. Mr Grossmith was just as popular on the stage in New York and Paris as he was in London, and had also appeared in films. He was the first to introduce revue and cabaret entertainments into England. Deceased was the author or partauthor of many musical plays, including “The Ring Roys," “ The Spring Chicken,” “ The Girls or Gottenburg,” “ Peggy,” and “The Cabaret Girl.” lie was tire recipient of many honours, including the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Order of Mercy, Order of the Saviour of Greece. Hold Gross, flic Order Pro Ecclcsia el Ponlillee, Papal Gold Cross, and 'British War Medals.

IVIR A. B. HANSEN. (nv Telegraph.—Press Association.) v * ' DANNEYIRKE, Friday. The death has occurred of Mr \lfred R. Hansen, a pioneer seß.er ot Norsewood and a member of v.i.nus local Doilies, including Ihe I)anne\icluHospital Hoard, Uannevirke Power Hoard, Dannevirke Gouiily Council and Hawke’s Ray War Relief Association.