OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 819, 17 May 1910, Page 4

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF ME, BATTUE, M.P. (By Telegraph—Press Association.! Auckland, May 16. Mr. Baume, M.P, for Auckland East, died at Nauheim, in Germany, on Saturday. MR. BAUME'S CAREER. The news of Mr. Baume's death will ba received with general regret, for he was well known and much esteemed throughout the Dominion. For some years he had suffered from heart trouble, which during the past twelve montlis had taken an acute form. During last session (it will be remembered) he became so unwell that he had to return to his home at Auckland. It was with the object of securing an improvement in his health' that Mr. Banme, only a few months ago, left on a trip for the Home Country and the Continent. lie leaves a widow and child. Born at Dunedin iii Juno, 1862, Mr. Baume was educated at the Thames High School, the Otago High School, the Otago University, and the Auckland University • College. He was a prizeman in French, mental science, and political economy at the Otago University. Subsequently he had a business training and later turned his attention to journalism. In'lSßl Mr. Baume was admitted to the Bar at Dunedin; and in 1891 he took his LL.B. degree in Auckland. Since 1887 Mr. Baume practised his profession in Auckland. In 1890 he entered into partnership with Mr. A. E. Whitaker, son ot the late Sir Frederick- Whitaker, under the style of Whitaker and Baume. When the honour of K.C. was first conferred on members .of the New Zealand Bar Mr. Baume was included in the list of recipients. The late Mr. Baume took a keen interest in municipal and colonial politics. For some years ho was a member of the Auckland City Council and the Auckland Harbour Board. In 1902 he was elected as one of the representatives of Auckland City in Parliament and at the two subsequent elections was re-elected. Mr. Baume was a good speaker and a man of his convictions. As chairman of the Education Committee in the House from 1902 to 1905, he did much useful work. Other important positions held by Mr. Baume were those of president of tho Auckland law Institute and examiner in law for the New Zealand University. He had also been a prominent member of the Law Society, the University Senate, the Auckland University Students' Association, and the Auckland Graduates' Association. It should also be mentioned that he was the first captain of No. 3 NewZealand Native Volunteers, •of which, since 1901, he had been hon. captain. PROBABLE CANDIDATES FOR THE SEAT. Several probable candidates are spoken of in local political circles. They include the Hon. E. Hitchelson, wellknown as a former Opposition member of the House. Then again there is Mr. Arthur Myers, formerly Mayor of Auckland, who" is also a very popular citizen of Auckland. Others include Captain Knyvett, who it was recently stated, intended to be a candidate at the next general election in the Opposition interest, WHEN WILL THE WRITS BE ISSUED? Owing to tho fact that Mr. Baume's death has taken place outside the .territorial limits of the Dominion, the question has arisen ,in many minds as to whether the issue of the writs will be delayed in order that legal proof of his decease may bo obtained.' Under the heading "by-elections" the Legielatnre Act provides as follows: "Where during a recess of the House, whether by prorogation, or adjournment, it appears to the Speaker that the seat of any member has become vacant, he shall cause a notice of such vacancy and of the causo thereof to be published in the Gazette .... Where such vacancy arises from death or resignation the Speaker shall issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Writs forthwith directing him to ' issue a writ to supply the vacancy . . . . On receipt of a warrant the Clerk of tho Writs shall forthwith cause a writ to be issued to the Returning Officer of tho district in which tho vacancy has occurred .... Suoh writ shall be made returnable within 21 days." In some quarters it is suggested that the Speaker might not bo able to accept cabled advice of the death as sufficient evidence of decease. No doubt the late Mr. Seddon died outside the territorial limits of the Dominion, but in his case there was immediate and conclusive proof of drath. The statute contains no pre-appointed proofs, and therefore it would seem that any evidenco which satisfies the Speaker will be sufficient, whether it would be adequate rn a court of law or not. _ It would ecem to be a case m which the Speaker shall exercise his discretion, and if he considers the press_ cablegrams sufficient he will send on his notice to the Clerk of tho Writs at once, and tho election may be expected to take placo before the ensuing session.