OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR W. H. TRIGGS , The Press Association announced today the death at Wellington of Mr William Henry Triggs, for fourteen years a Legislative Councillor, and before that well-known for many years as editor of the Christchurch ‘ Press,' aged 79. Mr Triggs was horn at Chichester. England, on May 10, 1885, and educated at private schools _ in England He came to New Zealand in 1878. Joining first the staff of the 1 Evening Post,’ of Wellington, he became editor of the ‘ Timaru Herald ’ in 1885, and in 1886 sub-editor of the ‘ Press.’ In 1894 he represented New Zealand at the first International Press Congress at Antwerp. Subsequently, he made visits to Europe, tho United States, Canada, South Africa, and other parts of the world, those trips occurring in 1904, 1910, 1919, 1926, and 1929. Ho was appointed editor of the ‘ Press ’ in 1895, and held that position till 1919. His editing was consistentlv of an Imperial tone, and tho paper took a leading part in the movement to send further contingents to South Africa, also in raising money for patriotic purposes during the Great War. He was made a director of the * Press ’ in 1909, and held that seat until he retired from the editorship in 1919. The presidency of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists was a distinction that came to him in 1900. As a Fellow of the English Institute of Journalists, he was made vice-president in 1910. The signing of the Peace Treaty at Versailles was one of the great functions of which he was a witness. Amongst other distinctions Mr Triggs was a member of the New Zealand Board of Public Health in 1908; chairman of the commission of inquiry into venereal disease and mental defectives in 1925; and represented New Zealand at the Interparliamentary Conference at Berlin in 1929. He was called to the Legislative Council in 1918, and was nominated for a second term, which expired in May, 1932. In 1882 he married Miss Marion Dumbell, daughter of a clergyman, and of that union two sons and one daughter were born. AN OUTSTANDING JOURNALIST. The late Hon. W. H. Triggs hold his chief distinction as one of the most accomplished journalists who have adorned tho profession in this country. The highest traditions of his calling, acquired first from his early training on English papers, were never forgotten by him. For a few years after coming to New Zealand in the late 'seventies he was on the staff of the Wellington ‘ Evening Post.’ Then for a year—--1885-86—he edited the_ _ Timaru ‘ Herald,’ leaving that position to become sub-editor of the Christchurch ‘ Press,’ to whose editorship he succeeded in 1895, retaining it for the long period of twenty-four years, which included the South African War and the

Great War. The strong Imperial attitude which found expression in his editing has been noted. Not less characteristic was the high literary character which he imparted to the paper, alike by his own writings and by his choice of contributors of special articles, whom he kept touch with in all parts of the world. With acute mental ppwers he combined a capacity for viewing wide horizons and a literary style that was always direct and simple and lucid to the last degree, that was trenchant on occasion, but could be most destructive in banter, and could charm by its allusiveness and gracefulness on all occasions. The best model for a; journalist’s style, he used to say, was that of Swift, but he had none of Swift’s black humour. He was kindly in all personal relations, and. his interest never ceased in those who had been members of his staff. As a younger man he had an interview with Robert Louis Stevenson, which he recalled in one of the essays, more delightful than they were numerous, _ which he contributed to various periodicals. He put a great deal of work into the report of the Mental Defectives and Sexual Offenders’ Commission, of which he was chairman, various recommendations i-f which have been incorporated in legislation, but not so many as could have been wished for by its members. ■ For years past ho had lived in the north of Auckland. He was never of robust health.

MR J. HERBERT The death occurred suddenly yesterday of Mr Joseph Herbert, who retired less than eleven months ago from the position of bailiff in the Magistrate’s Court at Dunedin. For many years before his retirement his health was not good, but the genial nature that made him a popular officer kept him cheerful. He was in the city on Saturday, but he took a sudden turn yesterday and passed away. The late Mr Herbert was born in Dublin in 1868, and came to New Zealand, when he was one year old, with his parents. His father, a mariner, went to the Bannockburn diggings, and was later master of the Iron Age, a well-known steamer running on Otago Harbour. Tho son had his early education at Bannockburn and later in Dunedin and Melbourne. When in Victoria Mr Herbert studied for the teaching profession, but a serious accident prevented the continuance of his studies. Up to that time he was an athletic man. He played Rugby for the Kaikorai Club and cricket when in Melbourne. He joined the Justice Department as bailiff at Dunedin twentyeight years ago. He married Miss Catherine Biggar, and is survived by a widow and three daughters—Mrs Price < Milton) Mrs C. F. Reynolds (Roslyn). and Miss Nessie Herbert (schoolteacher at Woodside).

MR JAMES GLENNIE [Per United Press Association.! INVERCARGILL, June 17. Tho death occurred suddenly yesterday at Seaward Downs of Mr James Glennie, of Makarewa. Mr Glennie, who was sixty-three years of age, had been visiting friends, and when leaving he appeared to be in his usual health. He had trouble with his motor cycle, and before ho could mount it he collapsed and died.

MRS COCK [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, June 18. The death has occurred at the age ol seventy-eight years of Mrs Cock, the wife of Mr Richard Cock, both being well-known pioneers of New Plymouth and district. Mrs Cock suffered an injury nine weeks ago. She was born at Bristol, England, and was brought to New Zealand as a child. For many years she shared in the social life of New Plymouth. As mayoress it fell to her to “ switch on ” the first municipal electrical installation in 1906, and during the war she was one of the first members of the Patriotic Society. She was also one of the first members of the Plunket Society and the Victoria League, and was a patroness of the Plunket Society.

MR W. M'LACHLAN The licensee of the Criterion Hotel, Dunedin, Mr William M'Lachlan, died yesterday, aged 48. He was born at Milton, and as a young man engaged in saw-milling, first in the North Is land and later in the Gatlins district For a time he conducted a general ston at Tahakopa, and in 1923 h 6 entered the hotel-keeping business as the licensee of the Portobello Hotel. In 192(5 he purchased the Criterion Hotel, which he conducted with marked success ann acceptance up to the day of his death He was keenly interested in trotting and owned two good racers in Ambition and Invader. He was also enthusiasts about sawing and wood-chopping, having been at the game himself, and sometimes he acted as judge. At the_ time of the last exhibition in Dunedin lie provided a competition meeting at Portobello, arranging for logs and all other requirements and giving the prizes. Ho was - a member of the Masonic Order. His wife died two years ago. Four daughters survive.

MRS W. SAUNDERS The wife of the Rev. William Saunders died on Friday last at her residence in Kilgonr street. A meraoria: service in the Moray Place Congregational Church this morning was con ducted by the Rev. Albert Mead an the Rev. A. H. Wallace, and the buria was at the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery The pall-bearers were Dr R. J. T. Bell Messrs T. S. Scarle, W. F. M‘Faul' E. Woodward, and J. A. Wilkinson. Mrs Saunders came to Dunedin forty-five years ago, shortly : ftr her marriage in the Old Countr to Mr Saunders, and she ac tirely and loyally laboured wit' her husband in the work of tin Moray place charge—the only charge that Mr Saunders ever had, and in which the help of his wife was to him a perpetual stimulus. Though of quiet disposition, never seeking prominence. Mrs Saunders displayed special tact and oracticability in organising, and her work for the church and the community earned the commendation and respect of a large circle of friends. Mr Saunders has three sons and one daughter to share his bereavement. The sons are Mr J. L. Saunders ("director of mental services, Wellington), the Rev. K. A. Saunders (London), Dr D. H. Saunders (Eltham). The daughter is Miss Gwen Saunders (principal of the Kaikorai Free Kindergarten).