DEATH OF MR ALFREO DOMETT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1705, 7 November 1887, Page 2

DEATH OF MR ALFREO DOM ETT

[fIDTBR's TIi»GKaM« CPTWE'GHtJ LoKD'»i», NoTHmbwr 2Alfred Domett, C.M.G., formerly Premier of New Zealand, is dead. He was seventy-six years old. Wo take the following from New Ze»Uon Mea of Mark: — Alfred Domett, 0.M.G., eon of Mr JN»th«niel Domett, wu bora at Oamberwell Grove, Surrey, May 20th, 1811. H« matrioulated »t Cambridge Id 1829 as a membbr of 8t John's College, hat after three ye»rs' residence he left the University with, ut gradaating. In 1832 he published a volume of poems. He then travelled In America for • coople of years ; and after his retarn to London about 1836 87; he contributed sime poetical effaaions to *• Blaokwood'a Magazine." One of these, "A. Christmas Bymo," was greatly ap mired, and hat been frequently reprinted. Mr Domett afterwards spent two years In Italy, Switzerland, and other Continental countries. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple In 1841. Haviog purchased tome laud of the New Zealand Company, be went out to New Zealand amongst the earliest a ettlera in May, 1842. On the Introduction of the new Constitution, framed by | Lord Grey in 1848, Mr Domett was appointed Colonial Secretary for the province of New Muuater, and in 1852 he became Seoratary for the whole of New Zealand. Later he resigned both these ofioea, and for a time accepted an inferior appointment, though with far more arduous duties, as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Resident Magistrate of j EUwke'a Bay. Afterwards he was choaun to represent the town of Nelson io the Homo of R-ipresantatlvea, and in 1860 he [ was re-elected. In 18€3, when affairs in New Zealand were in a ino«t critical pool' ! tion, Mr Domett was called upon to form j a Government, and he succeeded In doing so. After the resignation of his Governj mont he was appointed Secretary for Crown Ltnds, with a seat in the Legtala tfve Couaoi 1 , and to this there was added the post of Commissioner of Old Laad Claims. In 18€6 he beoame Registrar* General of Land, and five years afterwards he was requea'ed to nndertake the adminlitrarlon of confiscated land*. For the signal services rendered by him to • he oolonv he was oreated a Companion of the Order of Baints Michael and George, 188'J, He retired from publio duties io 1871, and returned to ifloglaud. Soon after reaohing E -gland he pabliahed " Btnolf and Amobia — A South Sea Day Dream," 1872, .a poem descriptive of tha scenery of New Zealand and of the habits, legends, and oharaoter of the Maori inhabitants. In 1877 he published a volume of poems under the title of *♦ Flotsam and Jatiam— Rhymes Old and New," Hla other works are " Ttnloa," a Boon), 1839; " Narrative of the Walrau [asiacre." published by the New Zealand Company, 1843 ; " Petition to the House of Commons for the recail of Governor Fitzßoy," published by the same Coinpanj ; and " Ordlnanoas of New 7> eland, olasifiud," published by New Zaaland CroriramaDt, 1860. Bis " Kauolf and Amdbia " wm f*ff favorably qritlpised by Brownlnt;, Tennyion, and Longfellow. Th» «• Sptotator," (( E»mioer," and Illaitrattd London News " were eqaslly *it» U their ißCOßlanoi,