OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 105, 28 January 1943, Page 3

OBITUARY

Air. Samuel Saunders

One of New Zealand's most eminent veteran journalists. Mr. Samuel Saunders, died at Eastbourne, AVelhngton, yesterday. Born at Nelson in loot, Mr. Saunders was a son of Mr. Alfred Sauudcr.'?. then superintendent of Nelson province, and later a member oi Parliament for a Canterbury Constituency, and be married Helen Johnston, a granddaughter of Captain E. B. Cargill, first superintendent of the province of Otago. In 1883 he became editor of the ‘’Ashburton Guardian.” Transferring to Christchurch, he joined the staff 61: the "Lyttelton Times,” and was editor of that journal from IS9I till 1914. . , His father, who brought his political ideas with him from England, was an uneonipromisiiig'Liberal. but at the same time a lover of good horses, anil it is noteworthy that Samuel Saunders’s connexion with journalism begun with articles on racing, hunting, mid rural subjects. The boy was sent to England to be educated, and returned to New Zealand with a first-hand knowledge ot political movements there and, incidentally, with marked skill ami enthusiasm in all forms of field sports. He joined the 6'taff of the "Lyttelton Times” in JBSG as racing editor and leader writer. AVhen the Hon. AV. I’ember Reeves resigned the editorship to become Minister of Education in the Ballance -Government, Air. Saunders succeeded him, and for more than 20 years thereafter made the “Lyttelton Tinies” a leading exponent. of New Zealand Liberalism. Mr. Saunders leaves one son and three daughters. His eldest son, Edward Saunders. was a brilliant young journalist, who was at one Hine on the literary staff of "The Dominion,” died during the last war. Mrs. Saunders died a few years ago. Mr. Saunders was a man of outstanding personality, big physically and mentally. The Liberalism'which he inherited bec.'inie a bold radicalism. He was n close friend of Mr. Seddon, who often turned to him for advice, but Mr. Saunders did not hesitate to castigate the Government if it showed signs of weakening. After his retirement he continued tor many years to contribute political and historical articles to journals in New Zealand and abroad. Dr. C. C. Farr A Press Association nwssage from Christchurch reports the death of Dr. Clinton Coleridge Farr, a leading figure in the scientific life of New Zealand and Australia. . , Dr. Farr, who was in bis ft th year, was born in Adelaide, the soil of Archdeacon Farr, headmaster of St. Peter’s Collegiate School, where be began his education. He had ir distinguished scholastic career in science and engineering, and held posts at Sydney and Adelaide Universities. In 1898 he undertook a magnetic survey of New Zealand at the request of the Government, ami. continued this work till 1901. establishing the magnetic observatory at Christchurch. Joining the staff of Canterbury College in 1904, as lecturer in physics and surveying, he became professor of physics there in 1910 and remained in that post till 1936.