OBITUARY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 246, 29 July 1937, Page 5

OBITUARY

THE HON. L. M. ISITT. A

PROMINENT PROHIBITIONIST.

LONG PARLIAMENTARY CAREER. (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Hon. Leonard Monk Isitt, is dead, aged 82. ' ' '■ Mr L. M. Isitt was a prominent public man long before he entered Parliament, as the successor of Mr T. 32. Taylor in the Christchurch North seat, soon after Mr Taylor’s death in August, 1911. He was bom at Bedford, England. and was educated at the Bedford Harper Modern School and at Clevedon College, Northampton. He joined a large glove-manufacturing firm in London, hut came to New Zealand and was on the staff of Messrs Ross and Glendinning, Dunedin, until he entered the Methodist ministry. He was ordained in 1881, and was stationed at Auckland. Masterton, Wellington, Sydenham and East Belt, Christchurch, on all occasions taking part in the NoLicense movement with surprising energy. After a struggle for two years, he Avas elected chairman of the first jSydenham No - License Committee, when the committees were elected by the ratepayers. The committee began Avith great gusto to close the Sydenham hotels, hut its action AA r as upset by the Court of Appeal.

The incident led Mr Isitt to resign from the ministry, to lecture through NeAV Zealand in support of alterations in the licensing legislation. At that time his gifts as an orator Avon him fame in England, and the United Kingdom Alliance cabled to him an T offer of a six months’ engagement as lecturer. He accepted, with the result that he became well-knoAvn in ffhei Old Country as a poAverful platform speaker. The engagement Avas extended to tAVo years. His popularity continuing to groAV, another engagement of three years, and still another of .free years, Avere made. . .. . , ,\.j

At intervals in them he came to NeAV Zealand to take part in campaigns at licensing polls here. Returning to New Zealand permanently, he lived for some years in Auckland!, Avhere he conducted the “Home Journal.” About 190:7 he went to Christchurch to establish a bookselling and stationery businessMr Isitt Avas elected to represent Christchurch. North in . the Hopse of Representtarves in 1911, and, held the seat until his retirement hi. 1925, Avhen he Avas called to the ..Legislative Council. He retired from the Council in 1932, but Avas reappointed in June, 1934, and retained his seat till his death. : ; 'M •

Mr Isitt took a keen interest in education, and Avas for many years a member of the Canterbury college Board of Governors.

Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt' is a son of the late Mr Isitt.