SKETCHES OF MEMBERS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 222, 1 October 1887, Page 5

SKETCHES OF MEMBERS.

1 Frederick Joseph Moss, who has been elected for the fourth time to represent Parnoll, was born afc St. Helena in 1829. He was educated in South Africa, where he was brought up to mercantile pursuits. In the Kaffir War of 1846 he served as a volunteer, and subsequently travelled through Natal, Kaffraria, and adjacent countries with a view to settling.but finally resolved to settle in New Zealand. Proceeding to England, ho thence set out for Canterbury, where he arrived in 1859, and was acti/e in establishlishing the Volunteer movement, being captain or the Lyttelton Company. He took no partinpoliticsthere.butwasoneoftheearlicst advocates of the Lyttelton-Christchurch tunnel. On the gold discovery at Otago Mr Moss transferred his business to Dunedin, and commanded the first Volunteer corps raised there. Soon afterwards he was elected to the Pro\ incial Council, and became Provincial Treasurer and Secretary I for Public Workb. The Opposition at that time was led by Vogel, who subsequently succeeded Moss as Treasurer. In 1868 Mr Moss visited Fiji and published a work on the island*, which led to a number of Olago people chartei ing a vessel and settling with him as cotton planters at the island?. Failing health compelled him to return to New Zealand, where he became secretary tothefirst Auckland Education Board, but resigned in 1878, when ho was returned to Parliament as member for Parnell without opposition. In politics, Mr Moss has always been a democrat of moderate type, and as a journalist fought strenuously for the maintenance of theold provincialsystem,whichhe regarded as essential to democratic institutions in a country so peculiar in its physical character as New Zealand. Mr Moss's strong opposition to the borrowing policy has gained for him the nickname of " Cassandra." H© is a protectionist, and though he voted for the Government on the no-confidence motion becauseoftheirsupport to the principle of protection, he will vote against the present coalition. Edward Withy, the new member for Newton, is one of the ablest men who has represented an Auckland constituency. Though ho made his free trade principles the gage of battle, his return by the democratic electorate of Newton is chiefly due to the support accorded him by the temperance bodies. As he is a capital speaker, a keen debater, and has a character for straightforwardness and thoroughness, he should speedily take a prominent position in Parliament. Mr Withy is a native of Bristol, England, where he was born in 1844. He learnt the iron ship-building trade and started business on his own account at West Hartlepool in 1869, retiring with a fortune in 1884. He was an ardent Liberal in politics at Home, and took aleading part in local government. He was a member of the principal engineering societies, including the Iron and Steel Institute and Societies of Mechanical Engineers and Navil Architects. He came to the colony in 1884 for the purpose of nettling his children, ami took up his residence in Parnell. Since his arrival in the colony he has taken a great interest in the temperance movement, being a member of the New Zealand Alliance. He is opposed to the Stout- Vogel Government, and advocates land nationalisation. He is a member of the Free Methodist body. Thomas Peacock, who has been elected for the Ponsonby seat after a keen contest, is a native of Glasgow, where he was born in 1837, and where lie learned his trade — that of optician and mathematical instrument maker. He arrived in the colony in 1862, and took an active part in the development of the goldfields in the Cape Colvilie peninsula. He has since been identified with the coal-mining and timber industries. He entered the City Council 1878, and was elected Mayor the same year, being reelected for a second term in 1879. He has served as a member of Education Board and Chamber of Commerce, is President of a Building Society, a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank, and director of a number of public companies. He was elected to represent Auckland North in 1881, his opponent being W. L. Rees. In 1884 he stood for Newton, and was elected, beating Mr De Lautour by a substantial majority. While in the House, he took a prominent part in the passage of commercial legislation. When the StoutVogel Government was formed, he was offered a portfolio by Sir Julius, but refused to accept it, Mr Larnach being subsequently appointed. Hitherto he has followed Major Atkinson, but now declines to name any leader. While rejecting extreme protection, he is in favour of temporary aid to local industries through the tariff. He will vote for a repeal of the property tax, and the substitution of a land and income tax. He will Bupport the abolition of plural voting, and believes Parliamentary elections should be conducted under Hare's system. He favours the facilitation of land settlement in moderate areas under freehold tenure. Mr Peacock is a leading member of the Presbyterian body. T. Thompson, who has been re-elected for Auckland North, is a native of County Cork, where he was born 54 years ago. He was apprenticed to the provision trade, but in 1852 he became infected with the gold fever and emigrated to Victoria. He remained in that colony for several years, but his health becoming impaired, he decided to visit New Zealand to recuperate. He arrived in Auckland in 1855, and, liking the place, decided to remain. He started a grocery store, which he kept until 1883, when he retired from business with a competency. He was for six years a member of the City Council, and for three years a member of the Harbour Board, and while deconnect with these local bodies was j noted as an advocate of retrenchment, and for his practical turn of mind. He was elected to the House at the general election of 1884, and has always been regarded as an advanced Liberal. He is opposed to the I Stout- Vogel Government, and considers coalition Ministries a menace to the safety of the State. He favours tariff assistance to local industries, but is nob a prohibitive protectionist. He was one of the founder*

of the Auckland Permanent Building Society, and served through the Maori war as a Volunteer, having been enrolled in 1858. He is a member of the Church of England. David Goldie, the chosen candidate of Auckland West, is son of one of the earliest free emigrants to Tasmania, where he was born in 1842. He servod his apprenticeship as a carpenter, and arrived in Auckland in 1863. After working at his trade for some years he commenced business in a small way as a timber merchant, and by industry, frugality and business rectitude worked himself into a leading position in that business. In 1874 he was returned as member for Auckland West in the Pro vincial Uouncil, and continued a member of that body until its dissolution by tho Abolition of Provinces Act. In 1879 ho was elected to represent Auckland We&tin Parliament as a supporter of secular education, beating his opponent, Mr Peter Dignan, denominationalist, by 500 votes. On the dissolution at the end of the session of '79 he declined to stand again, as his business demanded his sole attention. He has for tho last nine years been a member of the City Council, and for seven years a member of the Education Board, and is also a member of the Harbour Board and Charitable Aid Board. Ho has been Grandmaster of Orangemen, North Island, President of the N.Z. Order of Good Templars, Vice-President of N.Z. Alliance, and is regarded as the most uncompromising teetotaller in Auckland. He i.s unquestionably an ablo, fluent speaker, with a wonderful grasp and power of demonstrating figures, and is an untiring worker. He has always been a persistent advocate of retrenchment, and is not " mealy mouthed " in expressing his views on any subject. Though Presbyterian by birth, he has for years been identified with the Pi imitive Methodist connection, and takes great interest in Sunday School work. Ho will oppose the Government. Riuiid. Monk, who has been re-elected lor Waitemata, is one of the oldest residents of the colony. He is 54 years of age, and came to Now Zealand with his father when quite a child. His father settled at Hokianga years before the proclamation of British sovereignty. In 1849 young Monk went to California, and then* followed the gold hunters to Australia, returning to New Zealand about 1853, when he learned the carpentering trade. While travelling about he had picked up some notions regarding the introduction of machinery in joineiy, and established a factory at the corner of Queen and Grey-streets, Auckland, which in after years developed into the Union Sash and Door Company. He was the first I man to introduce steam joinery into tho colonies, and has always been regarded as a leading authority on the erection of timber mills and matters effecting the timber industry. In 1881 he stood for Parnell us an anto-Greyite, but was beaten. Tho speeches made during his candidature were clever denunciations of the public policy, and attracted no little attention. He was elected to the House in 1886 to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Hurst's death, and while contesting that election was the first public man in the colony to emphasise the demand for retrenchment, which in a few months became what Sir Robert Siout has called "a perfect roar." He is a skilled native linguist, and will probably have considerable influence over the Maori vote. He -\oted against the Government last .session, and will oppose any combination in the new Parliament that will not carry out rigid retrenchment. F. Lawby, the new member for Franklin North, was born near Cheddar Valley, Somerset, and was brought up as a farmer. He emigrated to Auckland in 1864. He has been for many years Chairman of Epsom Local Board, and' is a member of North Auckland Cattle Board and Board of Education. He twice previously contested a seat in Parliament, unsuccessfully, being once defeated by Major Hamlin, for Franklin North, and once by Sir G. M. O'Horkc, for Manukau. Mr Lawry is universally popular with the farmers. In politics he is an advanced Liberal, and opposed to the Government as at present constituted. He is a member of the Wesleyan body. Major Jackson, the chosen of Wai pa, sat for this constituency many years ago. During the Waikato war, he raised the celebrated corps of Forest Rangers, who gave such a good account of themselves all through the arduous campaign. He exhibited great courage at Waiari and Orakau, and was fairly idolised by the colonial forces. Since the war he has been engaged in farming pursuits, but has continued to take an interest in Volunteer matters, being commander of Waikato cavalry. Mr Jackson has a brusque manner, but is distinguished for great kindliness of heart. Pie will oppose the Government. John Ballance came to the colony in 1866, and settled in Wanganui, starting the " Wanganui Herald " in 1867, a paper in which he still retains the principal interest. During the Maori war he neld a commission as cornet in the Wanganui Cavalry, but his commission was cancelled in January, 1869, by Colonel Haultain, then Defence Minister, because of the outspoken criticism of the " Herald." The first time he camo forward for Parliament was in 1872, when he stood for Egmont against Major Atkinson and Mr Moorhouse. Major Atkinson was the Stafford candidate, and Mr Moorhouse favoured the Fox-Vogel Government. Finding the votes on the Patea side insufficient to carry him through, being overweighted by the Taranaki votes, he, at the suggestion of Sir E. W. Stafford, withdrew in favour of Major Atkinson. In 1875, Mr Ballance came forward for Rangitikei, standing against Messrs W. H. Watt and W. Hutchinson (now in Dunedin.) He won that contest and in 1876 stood again for the same seat againet Mr J. Bull, a local magnate, and won by a large majority. In 1879 Sir W. Fox brought forward a nominee for Rangitikei, and stood himself for Wanganui. Mr Ballance determined to face Sir W. Fox himself, and stood for Wanganui with Mr Bryce, two members being required. Mr Ballance was elected. In 1881 Mr W. H. Watt beat Mr Ballance for Wanganui by four votes, but in 1884 Mr Ballance was again successful, beating Messrs Watt and G. Hutchison. He held office as Colonial Treasurer, Commissioner of Customs and Education in the Grey Ministry, introducing the Beer and Land Tax, and brought into I force the Education Act on its present administrative basis with the assistance of Dr Hislop, and though a difficulty arose as to funds, the whole thing was in working ! order when he left office. He has held the positions of Minister of Lands, Native and Defence, in the Stout-Vogel Government, and is noted as the originator of the " One Policeman Policy," Village Settlement and other land schemes. James Allen was born on February 10th, 1855, in Australia, and came to New Zealand about 1858. He was taken to England in 1861 to be educated, and was placed at a private school in 1862, and remained there till 1869, when he was sent to Clifton College, where he remained till 1874. , While at Clifton, he gained a National Science scholarship or exhibition, tenable for three years at St. John's College, Cambridge. He proceeded to Cambridge in 1874, and took

an honor B.A. degree in 1877. Hi represented his University for two years ii the annual inter-University football match rowed twice in the trial eights for the Uni versity, and was first captain of his owi College boat at the Club. He left colleg( in 1877, and returned at once to New Zea land. From 1877 to 1883 he resided ir Dunedin. During three years of that thru he represented Leith Ward in the City Council. For several years he was a mom ber of the Anglican Church Synod, and fo: twoyears occupied the position of Lay Secre tary to the Synod. About 1882 he begar to take an interest in mining and miner' alogy, and attended Professor Ulriclu course of lectures. He went to England ir 1883, and continued his studies at the Royal School of Mines, South Kensington, whoi c he passed the examination in metalluigy equal to first in the first clasp, and received the Bessemer medal. Passed the following year also first in first class in the geology course, receiving the Sir Roderick Murchison medal. He returned to the colony last year. Mr Allen has always taken a great interest in athletic and outdoor sports, and captained to victory the Otago football team against New South Wales in 1883, and the interprovincial team against Canterbury. James Fulton arrived in Otago in January, 1849, and was appointed to the Commission of the Peace three years later. He was engaged in pastoral pursuits at West Taieri for about twenty years, and then sold out to his brother Francis. In 1863 he was appointed R.M. at West Taieri. He was subsequently transferred to Port Chalmers, andafterwards held theposibion of Assistant Stipendiary Magistrate in Dunedin till 1870. He remained magistrate at the Taiexi until his election to the House of Representatives in September, 1879, on the retirement of Mr Donald Reid, when he defeated Mr William Snow, and has represented the constituency ever since. In 1882 he was elected without opposition, and at the general election of 1884 he defeated Mr Carncross by seventy-six Aotes. During hi', official career he has held the offices of Registration and Returning Officer, Coroner, etc. In 1876 he was elected first Chairman for the Taieii County Council. In the early years of the Otago Boys' High School he was on the Board of Advice, and was one of the examiners for the scholarships granted to primary schools. He has al&o foi a number of years been a member of the High Schools Board and of the Otago University Council. Since the Education Act came into operation he has been a member of the Otago Board(andissostill)\vith an interval ofabout 4 years, he having declined election because there were too many members of Parliament on the Board at that time. He is a staunch free-trader, and is a warm advocate (both in the House and out of it) of the Bible in schools and of temperance, having been a total abstainer for more than twenty years. From 1882 to 1884, he was Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee of the House, but on seeking re-election as Chairman was defeated by the Ministerial party because ho refused to seek any emolument, and in the House denounced the payment of salaries to Chairman of Select Committees. In 1882 he was offered and declined nomination for the Chairmanship of Committees. He was elected the first President of the Dunedin V.M.C.A., and for many years has been Chairman of the New Zealand Bible and Tract Society. He uas for many years an active, and is still an enthusiastic cricketer, and in 1865, 1866, and 1868 captained the Otago representatives against Canterbury. For three years he was captain of the West Taieri. Volunteers. Thomas McKexzie was born in Edinburgh in 1854, came to Otago with his parents in 1858, and was educated in Dunedin. He made choice of engineering as a profession, but circumstances having caused him to give thot up, he bought, in 1877, a laige general business in Balclutha, which he conducted with so much success that he has now retired with a competency. During his residence in Balclutha Mr McKenzie has taken a lively interest and leading part in all public and social matters, aud was for two sessions Premier of the Balciutha Parliamentary Union. Mr McKenzie takes a keen interest in opening up new country, and has a great, taste for exploration. In 1879, In company with Mr James Allen and several others, he made the trip from QueenstoWn to the West Coast on foot, and with Mr W. S. Pillans was the first to penetrate the great bush to the south of the Clarence River. Mr McKenzie is pledged to no party. He is in favour of free trade (especially intercolonial free trade) as far as the circumstances of New Zealand will permit of it. He thinks there is a great necessity for retrenchment, and wishes to see the Bible reintroduced into State schools. T. W. Hislop is a son of Dr. Hislop, the well-known ex-Secretary of Education. He was born in the County of Midlothian in 1850, and came to this colony with his parents in 1856. He was educated at the East Taieri School, Mr Schaw's Grammar School (Dunedin), and the Dunedin High school, and also attended*fthe Otago University for a shore time. In 1868 he took part in a controversy at the High School in favour of the Rev. Frank Simmond, who finally resigned, and the old boys unanimously chose him as their spokesman on presenting an address and other souvenirs. He was admitted as a solicitor and barrister in 1871, and commenced practice in Oamaru that year, and was appointed Crown Prosecutor for Oamaru. In 1872 he took a prominent part, and in fact was chiefly instrumental, in making the Athenreum a success. He was one of the founders of the Oamaru Benevolent Institution, and has been a member of the School, Athenaeum, Hospital, Benevolent, and other Committees. In 1872 he was requested to stand for the Provincial Council, and declined, but consented to stand for the House of Representatives in 1876, and was returned by a very lai-ge majority over Mr O'Meagher. He was one of the first speakers in the" debate in 1876 on abolition, and delivered a speech which attracted considerable attontion. At the dissolution in 1879 he was re-elected, but resigned in 1880, and was again elected in 1885 on Mr Shrimski being called to the Legislative Council. Although a free trader, he has always interested himself in local matters, having been Chairman of the Road Board and School Committee, and on the constitution of Roslyn into a municipality was elected Councillor. In 1879 he was chosen Mayor, without opposition. He has also served as Councillor for the city of Dunedin, and in 1880 was elected Mayor oi the city. For several years he Avas a member of the Benevolent Society, and in 1883 was elected Chairman of the Dunedin Hari hour Board, a position which he now holds. Scouik Mackenzie (Mount Ida) comes from a Scottish family who settled in the West Indies early in tho century, but suffered reverses at the time of the emancipation of slaves. He was educated in Edinburgh at John Watson's, a woll-known and very old established educational institute, of which Mr George Edgecumbe was then leading director. He arrived in Victoria in 1862, and took to station life, at the same time showing a decided taste for journalism. He came to New Zealand in 1870, and was

manager of Deep Dell station, and three years after settled at Kyeburn. He contested Mount Ida at the general election in 1881 against Mr DeLautour, and was narrowly defeated. On Mr DeLau tour's retirement from the editorial chair of the Mount. Ida " Chronicle," Mr Mackenzie succeeded him, and filled the position for some time. He has been a frequent contributor to the Dunedin Press. At the last general election he was returned for Mount Ida against Mr J. Ewing by a substantial majority. He was then a staunch Vogelite, but virtually seceded in 1885 on the Ministry bringing down a protective tariff. Though Mr Mackenzie reluctantly voted with the Ministers on that occasion, and had saved them fiom defeat, and he made an explanation which has passed into a proverb that ho would kick their measures out. Lasl session he was a bitter opponent of Ministers on account of their taxation proposals, and on the no-confidence debate made a speech which created a sensation in the House and attracted a good deal of notice in the country. He speaks very seldom, but is very forcible and argumentative, with a decided fondness for sentences. T. Fergus, who came with his father to Melbourne as a boy, arrived in Otago at the beginning of 1870. In 1870 lie entered as a student of the University, and was appointed District Engineer of the Interior by the Provincial Government, and held thac position till shortly before thcabolition ot tho provinces, but resigned in order to join Mr D. D. Hendeison, now of Greytown North, as contractors. The firm of Henderson and Fergus did many works, such as railways, harbour works, bridges, waterworks, wharves, etc. For three years he was I Tiea&uier of tho Dunedin Athenaeum. He was elected member of Otago Board of i Education in April, 1880, and resigned in May, 1884. He was returned for Wakatipu in 1881 by a majority of eighty-five votes, beating Messis A. C. Thomson and Mcßride. He was re-elected iv 1884 by a majority of 440 over his opponents, Messrs J. T. M. Hornsby and J. N. Brown, as senior partner of the fiim ot Fergus and Blair, who have built railways in Tasmania and Australia. W. Barron (Opposition) unsuccessfully contested the Taieri with Messrs Fulton and Snow in 1879, but a year later was returned for Cavev&ham (which then included the present Peninsula district) beating five opponents, including three old members of tho House of Representatives. After the alteration of boundaries by tho Representation Act of 1881, ho was returned unopposed by his present constituency, and was again leturned without opposition at the general election in 1884. He is a consistent Liberal, and always to be found on the side of the masses when their interests conflict with thone of the cla&ses, and is a staunch free trader. His persistent endeavours for many years to extend the hours of polling have at last succeeded, and the extended hours have been found a great convenience to woikmen and others at the present election. The Patent Laws of New Zealand were the result of his action, assisted by Mr Dick and Mr Tole. They were much simplified and improved, chiefly in the direction of reducing preliminary fees to the nominal amount of 10s, abolishing charges for advertising, and establishing local patent offices for lodging applications and the deposit of specifications. In every city this has tended greatly to facilitate the obtaining ot patents for new inventions by those who were formerly deterred by the considerations of expense and inconvenience. Indeed, as Mr Barron recently said, our patent laws will now bear favourable comparison with any in the world. The provisions ot Section 137 of the Bankruptcy Act of 1883, which made wages a preferential charge on the assets of ix bankrupt, and which debar a bankrupt from being entitled to apply for or receive his final di&chargc until all wages owing by him have been paid in full, are tho result of the joint action taken by Mr Barron and Mr White, the then member for Sydenham. Amongst other questions in which Mr Barron has taken a conspicuous part may be mentioned the reduction of members — the second attempt made last session to reduce the number to 71, on his motion, having on division resulted in a tie, so desirable a change being thus prevented by the casting vote of the Chairman of Committees*. He ha<s ever since his entry into Parliament tried hard by speecli and vote to check injudicious borrowing and extravagant expenditure, and his persistent efforts have not been without their effect in causing the roar for retrenchment. James Mills is a native of the colon y, having been born in Wellington in 1848. He has led an exceptionally active business life. In his early days he was associated first with the late Mr Macandrew, and subsequently with the late Mr John Jones. On the death of the latter in 1869, Mr Mills embarked in the coastal steam trade, and met with considerable success. The business eventually developed into what is now well known as the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, and of which Mr Mills has been managing director from its infancy until now. Mr Mills's only experience of public life has been as a member for Waikouaiti in the Provincial Council for two years previous to the abolition of Provincial Government in 1875, and as member for Port Chalmers in the House of Representatives during last session as successor to the late Mr Macandrew. Mr Mills is a man of great practical and business ability, and will doubtless take a prominent position amongst colonial-born men who Avill form an important feature in future Parliaments. It is quite on the cards that these will group themselves into an independent) section under the name of the New Zealand Party.

Mr Bryce's Opponent George Hutchison, the newly-elecfced member who has defeated Mr Bryce, is a solicitor practising in Wanganui. He was born in Scotland and educated partly there and partly in Ireland, and brought to the colony in 1865. After studying law for some time, he took a one session course at Otago University, and was admitted barrister in 1872. He started business at Wanganui that year with Mr Denniston, now of Dmiedin. He first turned his attention to politics in 1881, when he addressed the Waitotara electors, but withdrew in favour of Mr Bryce, of whose Parihaka policy he approved. He contested Egmont then with Major Atkinson, but was defeated, and in 1884 Mr Ballance beat him in Wanganui. The present is his third attempt to enter Parliament. He is a supporter of the present Government on the general lines of their policy, but in education he would raise the school age and stop free education at the Fourth Standard. He is a protectionist, and belioves in Mr Ballance's land settlement scheme; is a fluent speaker, and will make an active and hard-working member. He has taken considerable interest in Volunteering, and is now Adjutant to the West Coast (N. 1.) Battalion.. (Will be continued next week.)

Countess Olga Pontatine, recently an attendant on the Empress of Russia, has just paaeecl through America on her way to Japan as a missionary of the Orthodox Church.