DEATH OF A PIONEER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2838, 1 August 1916, Page 4

DEATH OF A PIONEER

ME. JOHN STEVENS, EX-M.P. The death of Mr. John Stevens, exM.P. for llangitikei, occurred suddenly at his residence, Church Street, Palmerston North, on Sunday nigh't. The late Mr. Stevens was intimately associated with the early progress of the Manawatu aud llangitikei districts. Ho was born in 18i5 at Thorndoa Plat in Wellington, and went to Hangitikei in 1854, journeying, to the Manawatu with a- liorso and dray self-driven from Wellington. .Ho saw active service with the Wanganui Volunteer Cavalry in 18G41865, and subsequently he becamo captain of the llangitikei Volunteer Cavalry. Iu 1873 ho assisted the Hon. Henry Russell in interpreting the sittings of the Hawke's Bay Lands Alienation Commission. In ISB2 he entered politics, becoming member for Hangitikei by defeating Sir William Fox by a majority of two votes. ,but in 1884 he was defeated by Mr. Robert Bruce; \ In 1885 he became a member of the Wanganui Education. Board, resigning that position to visit India. The following year lie was successful in vesting the title of ovor ■100,000 acres of land in. the Queen's name. ' This land that he secured for tho Government—presided ovor then by John Ballance—included well-known Waipiarino Block, through which the Slain Trunk trains now pass. Later, he became a member of the Wellington Land Board, a position he held for ten years. In fins connection it might b£ mentioned that Sir John M'Kenzie promised Mr. Stevens the appointment of Minister of Lands, but unfortunately, owing fo his becoming blind, he was -unable. to accept the portfolio. In 1893 lie was' again returned to Parliament, and was re-elected in 1898-1899-1502. In SD2 he was defeated by Mr. Vile, and in 1905 lie again contested the seat, retiring in 1908. In tho later years of his political life ho was senior Government Whip. He was member for Hangitikei off and on from 1881 to 1908. Tho late Mr. Stevens resided in Kangitikei until a few years ago, when ho came to live in Palmcrston. He was l>y occupation a farmer and auctioneer, being practically tlio pioneer auctioneer in tho Manawatu district. He established in Palmcrston the firm of Stevens and Gorton, of which the firm of Messrs. Aftrahnm and Williams was an offshoot. The Into Mr. Stevens was predecpased by his wife some years back. He leaves to mourn his loss Mrs. Colonel Dalrympie, wlio is now in France, Miss Ethel Stevens (Gisbornp), Misses Hilda and Daisy Stevens, of Palmcrston Nprth, Miss Aleen Stevens, of Featherston, Mr. Laurie Stevens, of Taranaki, Messrs. Burrelt and Kenneth Stevens, on active service, and Mr. William Stevens, of I{hiladelphia. Mr. J. Stevens, of Palmerston North, is a brother of the deceased gentleman. '