OBITUARY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 28 November 1927, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR CHARLES LEWIS. SAD END TO SERVICEABLE LIFE. [Special to “Tribune"! Waipukurau, November 28. The body of Mr Charles Lewis, a well-known resident and settler in the district and formerly member of Parliament for Christchurch and Cour- • tenay, was found this morning outside the window of his room at ,ds home. A rifle was lying between his legs, and a shot had lessen through his mouth and out at the back of his head, death being instantaneous. He had lately been in a weak state of health The family heard a shot fired at about seven o’clock. He leaves a widow, four daughters and three sons. An inquest will be held to-morrow. The late Mr Charles Lewis was at one time senior member of ihe House of Representatives for the City of Christchurch. The son of the late Mr David Lewis, an early Canterbury settler. h» was born in Christchurch in 1857, was educated at Christ’s College and at Clifton nnd Ma Ivern Colleges tn England. Before coming to Hawke's Bay, he resided at Halswell near Christchurch. where he farmed a property of 270 acres which he inherited iron, his father. In Canterbury he was a well-known breedei of Shropshire Down sheep, being the importer <,f some first-class strains. He first entered Parliament in February 1896. when, at a by-election caused bv the retirement of the Hon. W. P. Reeves who then became AgentGeneral, he was returned to fill the vacant seat. He was re-elected the same year at the general election and again in 1899, but resigned on June 4 1901. At the general election in 1902. he was returned by ihe electors of Courtenay and held that seat until the dissolution in 19'>8 He shortly afterwards gave up political life, and purchased a farm property in the Waipukurau district. Up till the end Mr Lewis was a close watcher and keen critic of political events, and his pen never spared die politician whose policy he disagreed with.

MR L. H MoHARDY. Tlie death occurred on Saturday evening at his Waipawu residence o* Mr. Leslie H. McHardy, at the age ot 64. The deceased had been in precarious health tor some time with heart trouble, nevertheless the news of his death will come as a great shock. The late Mr. McHardy w*as born in Napier in 1863 and educated al the Napier High School and Nelson College. His lather. Mr. Alexander McHardy, with his brother, carried on farming for some years in partnership. Later they purchased a property at Palmerston North which soon became famous, as the Beauliyu stud farm, for Shorthorn cattle. For some years Mr. L. IL McHardy made his home at Beaulieu, but later returned to Blackhead, when the property was split up between the brothers. During the war Mr. McHardy set a fine example in patriotism, contributing largely to the various patriotic funds. At various times the late gentleman served on the public bodies in the district, including the Tamumu Road Board Waipawa Hospital Board. Patangata County Council and H.B. Hospital Board. Besides his widow he leaves two sons and four daughters, to whom the sympathy of the whole district will go out in their bereavement. The sons are Messrs. Alex and Louis McHardy. of Blackhead, and the daughters Mrs. L. H Larner, and Mrs T. G. Pirie. of Aromoana, Mrs E. C. Nation. Pourere, and Mrs. J. Kennedy, Puketapu. The funeral took place at Wainawa this afternoon and was large attender, the Rev. F. W. Robertson conducting the Presbyterian burial service at the church and graveside.-