DEATH OF LORD PLUNKET

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 103, 26 January 1920, Page 5

DEATH OF LORD PLUNKET

FORMER GOVERNOR. OF NEW ZEALAND. (Rec. January 2G, 1.20 a.m.) London. January 21. Obituary-Lord riunkot.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Lord William Lee Plunket succeeded Lord Ranfurly as Governor of New Zealand in l'JOl, arriving in tho colony on June 20 of that year. He was born in Canada in ISM, and succeeded to the title as fifth baron in 1597. Educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Dublin, lie took his B.A. degree, and acted as private secretary to tho lord-Lieutenant of Ireland from 1900 to 1901. Prior to that appointment he had served in the diplomatic service as Hon. Attache to the Embassy at Homo from 1889 to 1802, and at Constantinople from 1892 to 1891. In the latter year ho married Lady Victoria Alexandria, youngest daughter of the late Marquis of Dufferm and Ava. Lord Plunket came of an illustrious family. His father was the Most Rev. William ' Conyngham Plunket, D.IX, LL.D., Archbishop of Dublin, and Primate of Ireland, one of tho most distinguished prelates of Irs time. His mother was Anno Lee, eldest daughter of Sir Benjamin Leo Guinness, Bart., and Bister of Lords Ardilen and Iveagh. On his arrival in New Zealand Lord Piv.niet took a keen interest in tho affairs of the country, and travelled extensively throughout both islands. He was an enthusiastic angler, and deerstalker, and took full advantage of the roanv facilities for theso sports ottered by this country. Ho extended his patronage to various popular pastimes, more, particularly cricket and football, and also helped to foster the study of music by instituting competitions in which gold medals were offered as prizes. H:'k Lordship was a prominent Freemason, and his institution as Grand Master for Now Zerland was the occasion of a lavish and brilliant ceremony. He also took an active interest in the cadet movement, the value and importance of which ho lost no opportunity of emphasising :n his. official and public capacity.