DEATH OF MR A SAUNDERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1589, 30 October 1905, Page 2

DEATH OF MR A SAUNDERS.

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, last night. Mr Alfred Saunders, who had been in failing health for some time, died at four o'olook on Saturday afternoon. Mr Alfred Saunders was born at Laving* ton, Wiltshire. England, in 1820,' and was brought up as a farmer and miller. He arrived in Nelson in 1812, and was olosely identified with Nelson provincial distriot for. 25 years. He was elected a member of the Neleon Provincial Council for Waimea South in 1855, and represented that district continuously until he became Superintendent of the provinco. He was re-elected Superintendent in 1865, but resigned in 1867 to visit England. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Stafford Government in 1858. In 1859 he was elected member for Waimea, and in the year following he was offered and deolined ’the position of Colonial Treasurer in the Fox Ministry. He remained in England from 1867 to 1871, when he settled in Canterbury. He was J .

elected member for Cheviot,being re-elected in 1879. In 1880 he was appointed chairman of the New Zealand Civil Service Commission, whose report led the removal of the Chief Eailway Commissioner in each Islaud, together with a large number of other officials, From 1889 to 1891 he eat as member for Lincoln, and from 1891 to 1895 for Selwyn, being defeated in 1806. Publications by Mr Saunders include 11 Our Domestio Birds ” in 1 1883, " Our Horses ” in 1885, and “History of New Zealand.” Tho deceased has been prominently connected with the educational movement. He was frequently elected Governor of Nelson College, Ashburton High School, and member for Nelson and North Canterbury Education Boards. He was first married in 1817, Five bods and three daughters are living. His wife died in 1898, and he married again in 1899 while on a visit to England. Since his return from Eogland a couple of years ago ho has been in foil* ing health. ’