A BUSY LIFE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 24

A BUSY LIFE

HON. It. MOORE'S RECORD MANY TEARS IN PII3LIC AFFAIRS ' Few men can boast of such a long end busy association with public and political" affairs as the Hon. Richard Jiloore, M.L.C., who has just celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday. For 55 years, from the time he began his public life with work on local bodies, he has never, as he said when interviewed yesterday at his home at Cash"been, out of harness. Thi. oughout all this time he has enjoyed excellent health, and is still taking an active part in the work of the Legislative Council, where he is chairman r>f the lands committee, a position he has held for 21 years, ever since his appointment to the council. Mr Moore arrived at Lyttelton as n baby in the ship Steadfast in 1851. His education was received at a school in High street, kept by Mr Broughton, and at a Rangiora school, kept by Mr Werton. "Mr Merton was a fine old English gentleman," said Mr Moore. "'He did practically all the teaching himself; but, more than this, he set his pupils a good example of how to live their lives." Mr Moore, at the age of 21, commenced in business at Kaiapoi as a wheel-wright and coach-builder. He made drays and buggies and at one time had 16 hands worJdn£ under him. He built the first big wool waggon north of Christchurch, and as B sideline ran a saddlery business. Old Kaiapoi Kaiapoi, said Mr Moore, was then a flourishing and lively town. Wool was brought down there in waggons and shipped to Lyttelton. Mr Moore remembers seeing 20 small trading vessels in the Waimakariri river at one time. There was no bridge across the river, and travellers to and from Christchurch used to cross it in little ferry boats, and even in Maori canoes. After some years Mr Moore sold oilt his coachbuilding business and took an interest in the Kaiapoi Produce Company, which did a considerable shipping trade. He ultimately took over complete control of the company from the other partners, Richard and Harold Evans, but later sold it to the newly-foi-med Kaiapoi Produce and Shipping Company. Mr Moore was also one of the first shareholders in the Kaiapoi Woollen Company. He promoted two building societies, the second of which is still flourishing. During these early years, too, Mr Moore took a keen interest in the development of sport. He was a member of a boating club formed at Kaiapoi, and president of the rifle club. Early Public Life Mr Moore's public life began soon after he had reached the age of 30. He became a member of the Kaiapoi School Committee, holding the office of chairman for 14 years. He also became a member of the borough council and was Mayor from 1884 till 1887. Mr Moore also had a term as chairman of the Waimakariri Harbour Board, and, until about four years ago, was for 21 years a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, of "Which he was chairman for two years. Mr Moore has now severed his connexion with all local bodies, except for the position he holds with the North Canterbury Hospital Board as Sinking Fund Commissioner. In 1890, Mr Moore was elected to Parliament as a member for Kaiapoi. His second term in the Lower House ended in 1900, and in all he ypent six years there. In 1914 he was appointed a member of the Upper House. So busy and so active has Mr Moore's life been that he has not had time to make a visit to England. He has been to Australia on several occasions, mostly in connexion with his early business life. At that time, he said, there was a considerable trade with Australia in potatoes and grain. Another thing for which Mr Moore regrets not having found the time is keeping a. diary. Old Times and New For reminiscences of his long political career, during which he knew many of New Zealand's prominent statesmen, lie has to rely solely on memory. But he can tell of both strenuous and pleasant times when he was pioneering in the early days of Canterbury. He remembers when Papanui was covered wilh bush, and he can note with satisfaction the wonderful progress which has been made, progress which has all taken place practically within his lifetime. Remembering the long journeys that once had to be made on fool, he is particularly appreciative of the excellent arrangements, for travelling that now exist. "We have made the towns so attractive to-day,"' said Mr Moore, "that many young people are not anxious to go into the country to lind work. Conditions are undoubtedly very hard for them; but I remember the time when men were living in tents at Rangiora and working for 2s Gd a day. Life, of course, was simpler then, and there is no doubt that many people will have to be prepared to lead a simpler life. "The present depression is the longest we have been through, but, as for New Zealand itself, the foundations are right. The more 1 have been to Australia the more I am pleased with my own country. But what we should try to do mere than anything else is to cultivate reciprocity with the Old Country." Mr Moore is now married for the second time. His first wife was the daughter of one of the pioneers, Mr Richard Woodford.