Obituary.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 780, 24 March 1905, Page 2

Obituary.

Sill A. .T...CADMAN. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 23. Sir A. .1. Cadmnn, Spoukcr of tho Legislative Council, died this morning, nfier a long illness. In a telegram to the Major, Air Seddon .suggested a State "funeral if •he relatives so desired, but in nccorduiuowith the wish of the deceased the relatives prefer un ordinary public funeral. Hs will be interred ut Coromandel. HUXTLY, ifarrh 23. Mr Seddon, in a speech to-day. said the colony suffered a giv-at loss '>. v Sir Alfred Cadman's death. There was no doubt that his close attention to his ofliciul duties impaired his health, and laid the Sv-ods of the disease from which he suffered. He was one of Xe.w Zealand's loremost public men, and his name would ever be reelected ttiroughout the colony.

Sir Alfred Jerome Cadmun, K.C.AI.G., was born in New South Wales, whence he came to New Zealand with his parents in his early boyhood. In private life he engaged in mining and the Umber industry. In 1881 he entered Parliament as a supporter of Sir George Grey, and ten yours later •acjceptoJ "the portfolio of Native Affairs under the leadership of the late Air John llallance. In 1893 Air W. L. Ilcvs, M.H.U., -for Auckland Cily, made allegations of improper use of his office against the Minister. As a result Air Cadmun challenged Air Hi es to contest an election with him, cither at Auckland or n't Thames (Mr Cadman's constituency). The challenge being accepted, the byc- <. lection took' place at Auckland. The contest aroused great interest throughout the whole colony, and resulted in tho return of Air Cadmun by the largest majority ever recorded in the colony. Immediately ufter--1 wards Air Seddon offered him the -Portfolio of Alines, to which was soon added that of Railways. In both offices, but especially in tho latter. Air Cadmun earned for himself un excellent reputation as an merge lie. sensible, and economic administrator, until failing health compelled hiiu to resign, much to the general regret. Air Cadman wus soon promoted to the Legislative [Council, and on the death of Hon. IV. ('. Walker wus elected Uo- the Speakership, an office he held at tho time of his demise. He was knighted in I<JO3. As a rule be believed in tho adage "Silence is golden," but when he did speak was always listened to with respect and attention. A few years ago ho became keenly interested in Tai'anakl Ironsund, being ono of the chief of a syndicate formed for the purpose of floating a company to manufacture iron and steel hero. lie made two trips to England with this object, Air K. Af. Smith accompanying him on the first occasion.

A i|uiet, unnssmiiiinr Konllemnn, and a most mluslrious ami .elllcient ndminislni'tor, .Sir Alfred was popular with all sections of the House, and his death will he regretted by friend and opponent alike.