A VETERAN PASSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1924, Page 2

A VETERAN PASSES.

DEATH OF HON. JOSEPH GKIM.MOND. AETAT SI YEARS, The death took place suddenly at Ross last evening of the Hon. Joseph Orimmond, M.L.C. Mr Orimmond returned from his parliamentary duties a collide ot weeks ago. looking hale and hearty alter the session’s work. He did not stay in Christchurch for the Cup meeting, desiring to return to his home io Ross, for a rest. He accompanied the County Council deputation that visited South Westland last week am! appeared in good health and the best ot spirits. Earlier in the week he had celebrated bis 81st. birthday. Yesterday Mr Orimmond went for a walk in the afternoon and visited some friends, returning home before tea. Alter having tea be was seized with a sudden seizure and passed away quietly about 7 o’clock. Deceased was a notable figure in Ross, having been the second Muvor of the town, in 1878. the late Mr C. Malfroy. having tilled that position first, in 1877. Iho deepest '.empathy is expressed on all sides at the passing ot (mo ot our best public men. one who lias tilled so well so many noable public positions through a large period of years. \ cry deep sympathy is expressed ho* Mrs Grimmond in the very sudden loss she has sustained. . ~,,,, The Hon Joseph firmnnond ALLA, was a notable pioneer of New Zealand, lie was horn in Drogheda. Ireland in 1813 and was therefore 81 years ol age. celebrating that birthday last week. Alt' Orimmond followed the calling ol an engineer. In 183!) he landed ill Melbourne from the ship Eagle and \\oik--0,1 on the goldfields of Ballarat and Cieswiek. At the outbreak ol the rush to Cal,riel’s Oully in Otago in 1801. he came to New Zealand, and followed up the rii'h with success. Iwo years Intel ho went to Wakamarina. and afterwards he moved to the \\o-t Coast with which he has been associated over since, lie erected mining machinery at Ross and Roeftun. and also constructed and owned sawmills at Reelton and Ross, and was largely interested in mining ventures. He was manager of the Ross l nited Gold Alining Company and had large interests in the Mack Creek and Kauieri Lake water races in their earlier days, and also the Mont D’or Company at Ross. In matters political, Mr Orimmond took an active interest. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1887 when he defeated the sitting member the late Air John Reran, by *2OO votes. He was defeated at the next election in .1800 when the late lion R. J. Sodden was returned with a majority ot 338. Mr Orimmond was appointed to the Legislative Council on Alny ,th. 1018. Air Orimmond lias taken a very active interest in local politics and has been a prominent member of various local bodies over a long period of years, lie was a member of the Hess Porough Council, and was .Mayor ol town over a dozen times. He was Chairman, uiid for many years a member ot the now defunct Westland Education Hoard, and served on the Canterbury Education Poanl for several years. As ii member ol the Westland C oinitx Council he lias served lor a very long time, and was County Chairman as far luck as 1878. again in 188-1. 18!)l. 1!)II3. mid I<ll2. lie was at present one of the members of the Southern Riding of the Council, and has at all times used his best endeavends to advance the interests ol Westland. Deceased leaves a widow (a daughter ol the late Duncan Alacfailane, a former stipendiary magistrate at Hokitika). Ihe funeral takes place to Ross cemetery on Saturday afternoon.

A TRI MOTE. Feeling reference to the death of llott .T. Orimmond. was made by thr, Alavor. (Mr W. 11. I’arlil t) at the Grcymoulh Porough Council meeting held last evening. on receipt of the sad news. During the whole of his life-time, said the Alavor. he had given of his best to the public, not only of the West Coast, hut of the whole of New Zealand. He was known as the “grand old man” of the l |>|>er House. He moved that a motion of condolence he passed with the widow of the deceased gentleman. Cr O'Brien. in referring to the death ~| the Hon .1. Orimmond. su'd when lie learned of the news, he "as gi\''ii a ,umfol shock, lie Id" ’'.cad 1 i lie ~| the finest, grande.| men who had ever graced New Z-aknid public life. He was an old pioneer, ami had that same pioneer spirit for which the Coast was famed. During his (the speaker’s) brief sojourn in the House, the lion Orimmond was always beside him. ready to lend a helping hand and lie (Cr. O’Prien) could always rely on him to the utmost. When the question ol rutting down the tohnrro ration of tin* inmates of the AVextland Old People’s Home was being discussed, the deceased hud agreed with the speak"!' that it the proposal were gien olfi'ct to. a public mooting must he held in Hokitika. ||e was possessed with a wonderful insight into public matters, no matter what tlicv wore. Hi’ (the speaker) was rather pleased that the lion gentleman had Ik'cii called away suddenly, as lie ih,night that was the death that the Hour gentleman would have desired. When he was defeated by the late lion R ,1, S 'ddon. Mr Orimmond had said lie had been lenten hy a better man. lie endorsed the motion of the Alayor that a vote of condolence with the widow he passed. As a native of the district where the late lion, gentleman lived. Cr Darker said he fell compelled to endorse the remarks of the previous speakers. Ihe late lion, gentleman was indeed a “grand old limn” in every walk of life, and was held in the highest esteem hy all cl asses of the community. The motion was then put and carried, the Councillors standing in respectful silence.