FARMER AND M.P.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 867, 10 January 1930, Page 9

FARMER AND M.P.

LATE MR. J. G. HARKNESS Press Association STRATFORD, Today. A well-known figure in the public life of tbe Dominion, Joseph George Harkness, died at the home of his son at Midhirst yesterday at the age of 79. The late Mr. Harkness was born at Nelson soon after his father, Mr. William Dixon Harkness, arrived in New Zealand from Scotland. He was educated at Nelson College and engaged for some time in school teaching. He was a strong supporter of the Atkinson Government, in whose interests he represented Nelson City from 1889 to 1893. He was a member of the Waimea County Council for eight years, chairman of the Richmond Town Board and member of the Nelson Education Board and school committee for many years. About 1893 he took up land at Tariki, Taranaki, and was the chief mover in the formation of the Midhurst Co-operative Dairy Company in 1896. Shortly afterward he was appointed secretary and general manager of the company, retaining that position till he moved to Wellington, about 1905. During his residence at Midhirst ho was defeated in a three-cornered contest for the Stratford seat in Parliament. In Wellington he became president and then secretary of tho National Dairy Association, retiring in 1921. He was president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in 1907, member of the Wellington Harbour Board from 1908. and chairman from 1919 to 1922. More recently he resided at Te Horo in the Wellington district, where he had fanning interests, and waa chairman of directors of the Te Horo Dairy Company at the time of his death. Two years ago he went on a trip to the United States, Great Britain and Denmark to raise finance for a co-operative freezing works at Wellington. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having held the position of grand master. He is survived by his widow and four sons, G. P„ Midhirst; W. V., Tariki; R. F., Stratford; C. 1., Waiuku; and three daughters. Mrs. Hardy Jones, Stratford; Mrs. Ray Brown, Levin; and Miss Harkness, Te Horo. His brothers are:—— J. H. Mayor of Westport; J. T.. of Christchurch; W. D., of Richmond; and two sisters iu Christchurch.