OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2644, 15 December 1915, Page 5

OBITUARY

: —« : ' 'EARL OF GLASGOW, EX-GOVERNOR OF fjEW ZEALAND, B/Tclesrasli—Profa Association—Oonyrlslit 1 . London, December'l3. The Earl of Glasgow is dead. .. The late Earl of Glasgow (torn ( in 1833) oame of a very old Scottish family, and traced his descent to Alan; Dominus df Kelburt, in tho leign of William the Lion of Sootland, in 1214. The family was not, however, ennobled until 1699, when the services of David Boyle (after whom the late Earl was named) as a Commissioner for effecting the -union of Scotland with England were recognised by elevation to the peerage of Scotland. The Earl of Glasgow, as a commander in t' a Royal Navy, saw active Borvice in the White Sea during the Crimean' War and in the China War of 1857. In-1873 he married the oldest, daughter of Sir Edward Hunter-Blair,_ of Blair-quhan, Ayrshire. He took an active • part in social affairs of his county. His appointment to cucceed Lord Onslow as Governor of New Zealand was a. surprise, as he was but little known in British politjos. This proved to be no disqualification for the post. On the other hand, the Earl of Glasgow was essentially one of' the most popular Governors that New .Zealand 'has . ever had—a : shrewd, kindly man, with a'faculty for making everyone^-feel perfectly at ease. Possibly hi 6 training m the Navy had developed his natural geniality, fie understood the people of this country, and they understood him. Hp arrived in Wellington by way of' Sydney,' coming in the Hinemoa, which was sent to fetch him hither in 1892. Pe remained here until 1897. When he "arrived with his • family and'.suite, a publio holiday was declared in the City of Wellington. There wereover 20,000 people at the wharf and quays to meet him and give ; him a warm and friendly welcome. The streets along the Toute by .which ' he passed to old Government House were decorated from end to end. The Earl af Glasgow was much touched by this demonstration of goodwill on the part of' the citizens of Wellington. .As time went oh the Earl of Glasgow showed that he was worthy of the honour then done him. He was personally 'much liked; His duties were mainly of a social character in those peaceful timjs. When ho left for Home in the Talune, on his wrfy to Sydnej;, a vast crowd 1 was on the wharf to bid him good-bye and the best, of wood wishes. ■ . Earl of Glasgow was Oommander-in-Chief in New Zealand, as all the Governors have been, but he took a personal interest in the 2nd Wairarapa Mounted Rifles, of which he was hon. colonel. The heir to tho title and estates is' Viscount Kelburn, Commander of H.MJ3. Pyramiua, at present cruising "somewhere" at sea. Viscountess Kef hum is at present residing in Welling- . ton, and will ijrobablv remain here for some time, with her little son (who now assumes the title of Lord Kelburn) and her two daughters, Lady Grizel and ' Lady Hersey.