LATE MR. T. E. PEARSON

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 16

LATE MR. T. E. PEARSON

NOTABLE SERVICE TO CITY BEAUTIFYING AUCKLAND Throughout Auckland City and wider afield many beautiful park 3 and reserves stand monument to Mr. Thomas Edward Pearson, Superintendent of Parks to the City Council, whose death occurred suddenly yesterday afternoon. Mr. Pearson’s death is felt deeply by all citizens, no less than by other administrators of City departments and servants of the council whose colleague he was. As a civic tribute flags are flying at half-mast in the Albert Park and on the Town Hall. The late Mr. Pearson, yvlio was in ! Ins 7 3rd year, had been associated : with the parks and reserves depart- ; ment of the City Council since June, ■ 1108, a term of nearly 22 years. A j year ago Mr. Pearson had been seriously ill and on recovery had been r obliged to rest for six weeks. In re- , cent weeks his health had been giving < ause for anxiety, but he would not consider relinquishing his duties. He was actively engaged in his work yesterday morning, but while travelling in one of the council’s motor-cars j lie was seized with a stroke. Soon after one o’clock he died at his house ' in Albert Park. Mr. Pearson was born in Staffordshire in 1837. As a youth he helped lus father, a nurseryman in a large way of business, with the laying out of numerous gardens for public authorities and private persons. Then, in order to widen his experience lie went to Philadelphia. Qoing next to Tasmania Mr. Pearson was employed in the gardens of the Governor’s residence in Hobart. On arrival in New Zealand he went to the South Island, later entering the 3 ores try division of the Department of Hands at Rotorua. Under the late Mr. Matthews, conservator of forests, he hud charge of the Government’s first tree-planting operations in that d istrict. After doing meritorious work Mr. Pearson was transferred to the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, and was given charge of that department’s parks and reserves, including the gardens at Rotorua and lhe domains at Te Aroha. Hanmer and Queenstown. He effected many improvements leaving testimony of his taste and professional skill, at Rotorua especially, hi 1907 he undertook the building ol! a fernery at the Christchurch Exhibition, and was' successful. APPOINTMENT TO AUCKLAND During the Mayoralty of the late Sir Arthur Myers, Mr. Pearson, whose ■ skill had attracted wide notice, was \ appointed superintendent of parks at j Auckland in 1908. When Sir James Parr became ! Mayor, Mr. Pearson was asked to lay out the newly-acquired Point Erin Park and the Parnell Park. Under j Sir James Gunson he created another place of beauty out of the tangled and ugly area behind the Town Hall, known i>s Myers Park. His too, was the layout and planting of the Zoological Park. He has improved the Domain gardens, extended the Albert Park and beautified Victoria Park. His knowledge of forestry enabled him to plant 'he City Council’s reserve at Cornv. ailis. In recent times he has prepared the lay-out of the new Waiatai'ua Park, and the setting out of the area round the War Memorial Museum. He was a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society. He was also lately awarded the diploma of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. He joiued the Auckland Bowling Club in the year of his arrival in Auckland, and was greens Miperintendent for 12 years. He is survived by Mrs. Pearson. He had no relatives in the Dominion. The interment is private. . TRIBUTE BY MAYOR 1 feel the death of Mr. Pearson very keenly,” said the Mayor, Mr. BsJldon, this morning. “He was an officer of great value to the city and one who lias contributed in no small measure to its beautification. ‘Mr. Pearson’s skill was held in so high a regard.” said the Mayor, that other local bodies frequently asked for his assistance in the planning of their parks. ’lt was always a pleasure to be associated with Mr. Pearson,” said Mr. Baildon.