"A BIG-HEARTED MAN."

Press, Volume L, Issue 14979, 28 May 1914, Page 7

"A BIG-HEARTED MAN."

The news of tho tragic death of Mr Orion Stevens, manager for New Zealand of thfl National Mutual Lifo sociation of Australasia, caused groat and sincere regret amongst Christchurch insurance inon and business men generally. It will do so all over tho flominioni for not only amongst business men and thoso intimately connected with life iiuiurar.ee, but amongst all classes of th«> community, slr elevens was well-known aud well-liked. "A big man and a big heart' was the phraso used by one in Christchureb who knew Mr Stevens well, in speaking of him to a representative of 'The Press ' yesterday. Mr Stevens would have been a big man in whatever walk of lifo ho had adopted. In business on his otrn account ho would have done well, and as a politician, his personal magnetism, his big-hearted ness, and his clear insight would have brought him to tho front.

Air Stovoiu was admittedly one of the most popular Jifo insurance managers in Australasia, and his lengthy and successful career shows that bo well deserved that character. Ho was a native of Sydney, New South Wales, and was grained, as a boy, in theMutual Lite Association of Victoria, under Mr John H. Gillison. At tho'tisno when the National Mutual took over the Mutual of Victoria, Mr Gillison received tho appointment of manager for Great Britain, and Mr Stevens was appointed manager of the Queensland branch of the National. Iα Queensland he was very successful, not only in his business career, but as a citizen, and when, about fifteen or sixteen years ai;o, he was transforred_ to tho managership of tho National Mutual Lifo Association in New Zealand ho received a- presentation from tho citizens of Brisbane. Mr Stevens replaced 3lr B. G. Martin {who at his own request was transferred to Queensland) in the position of Now Zealand manager of the National- From one end of the Dominion to tho other Mr Stevens was known to all sorts and conditions of- men, and under his capablo management ho br«ught tho Now Zealand branch of the National from one of tho smallest branches in point of size into a foremost position amongst the branches.

Mr Stevens took a-groat interest in sporting, and was for several years one of the fi towards of the Wellington Racing Club. He was also a keen bowler, and was known on almost every bowling green in the Dominion, and won the Duthie Cup on two occasions at Wanganui. • As a public man, Mr Stevens did his part well, and was three times Mayor of Lower Hutt. Several years ago he was offered .■ an opportunity to stand for a seat in Parliament, but business considerations prevented him offering his services.

Mrs Steven3 and ono eon and one daughter, both grown up, survive Mr Stevens, who was in hie forty-ninth year. The son (Mr Keiih Stevens) is farming in the Wariganui district, and tho daughter lives with her mother at the Lower Hutt.

It is understood that Mr Stev'cns was to have been the Reform candidate for the Hutt eeat at the general election in December*