THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 247, 13 July 1920, Page 4

THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

$ . DEATH OF COMMANDER HOKNK.. The Sergennt-at-Arms of the of Representatives, Commander Cecil Grevilfo Home, died at 5 30 yesterday inoru' ing. Commander Horno. slept in Ins quarters in the new section of the Parliament Buildings during 'the night, and early in the morning Mr. A. S. Malcolm, Chairman of Committees, who occupies an adjoining room, heard him call. Mr. Malcolm found Commander Home to be seriously ill, suffering from a heart seizure, and immediately summoned medical help. Before the doctor arrived Commander Home died. I'or nil his brisk appearance, Commander Home was an old man, having been born at sea 75 years ago. His parents settled in Australia, but the deceased was later sent lo England to study tor the Navy. Ho entered the Hoyal Wavy with a commission, and it was in tlia course of his service on a Pacific station that he first visited New Zealand. Ho retired from the Navy in 1880, and settled in New Zealand. ' He was appointed Sergeant-at-Arms of the House in the same year, and he iulnlled tlieso duties for some nine years. He returned to the Houso of Representatives some ten years ago, acting in relief for Major Shephard, who in his later years of .office was not able to he very frequently in attendance, and in 1915 Commander Horno was appointed permanently. He was a singularly active.and v.ell preserved man for his venrs, and members will miss his distinguished figure in the ceremoina of the House. His duties did not tend to malte him closely friendly with members, but he was recognised by all of them as a courteous gentleman, diligent in the performance of his office. An inquest was held by Mr W. jr. Riddell. S.M., in the afternoon, llie medical evidence went to show that the deceased had suffered from heart trouble for a considerable time past, the Coroner returned a. verdict of death from heart failure, following on- organic disease of the heart.