DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM STEWARD

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 514, 2 November 1912, Page 5

DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM STEWARD

"FATHER OF THE HOUSE."

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday.

The death occurred this afternoon of Sir Wlliiam Steward, M.L.C., one of the oldest and most familiar figures in New Zealand politics. The death of Sir William Steward was referred to in the Legislative Council this afternoon by the Hon. H. D. Bell, who said that the Council would receive, with great sorrow, the sad announcement. He proposed {o adjourn immediately, out of recognition of the services he had rendered to the country for so many years, so loyally and faithfully in so many public capacities. Hon. members would have an opportunity of recording their sense of sorrow next day on a motion which he would propose. The Council accordingly adjourned at 4.50 o'clock. A LONG SERVICE.

The late Sir William Steward, who was born in Reading, England, arrived in New Zealand in the barque Mersey, and landed at Lyttelton on September 28th, 1862. He was then 21 years of age. For ovar 40 years his name was intimately connected with the politics of New Zealand, and he was familiarly known as the "Father" of the House of Representatives. He first entered the House in 1870 as member for Waimate. Sir William (then Major) Stewa-d was elected Speaker in 1891, and held the office till 1893. He was subsequently knighted in consequence of his political services and of his holding this position. Altogether Sir William was an interesting figure in the Lower House, and his tall, spare figure, had been much missed there since he retired from that chamber last year. When Parliament opened in June of this year, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council. In North Otago and Canterbury Sir William Steward edited and owned several newspapers, and he published several volumes of poetry.