OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 256, 8 April 1915, Page 8

OBITUARY.

FELIX McXiUIRE.

The death took place at Auckland on Tuesday evening of Mr. Felix McGuire, ex-membtr for Egmont.

The late Mr. McGuire was born in 18-17, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, where he received his education, and arrived in Australia in IXO3. Shortly afterwards he came to New Zealand and served throughout the. campaign, subsequently going to the West Coast diggings. During the Taranaki war lie joined a cavalry company at Wanganui, and served in the engagements against Titokowaru, but was afterwards transferred to the commissariat department. He was mentioned in despatches and received a commission as lieutenant. On leaving military service he commenced business as a general storekeeper in Patea, where he remained for several years. Mr. McGuirc thon removed to Hawera, and in the year 1862 went to Auckland, where he remained for three years studying for the law, and subsequently returned to Taranaki. In 1887 he contested the Eginont seat against the late Sir Harry Atkinson (then Premier), but was defeated. In 18!)1 he was returned for Eginont, and was afterwards elected on three successive occasions. The late Mr. McGinns had had a lot of local body and general political experience. He was member for South Taranaki in the Taranaki Provincial Council until the abolition of tiie Provinces. He was afterwards for some time chairman of the Patea County! Council, and was the first JI«''0I Of Hawera. He afterwards retired (o Mount Royal, Okaiawa, where lie resided for several years, and about two years ago went to reside in Auckland. When Mr. McGuire was hi Parliament he was generally recognised as a remarkably shrewd, able country representative (writes the Eltham "Argus). He was not a brilliant speaker, but there was a solid eommonsense about bis .speeches that made them always worth listening to and reading. At one time it was thought that he would achieve Cabinet rank, but an unfortunate difference between him and a leading member of the Seddon Administration created a little ill-feeling, and Mr. McGuire left the ranks of the Liberals, and took up the attitude of Independence. He was much liked in the House; ho had the proverbial good humor of an Irishman, and in bis warmest speeches—and he could hit pretty hard if he wished—he was manly and outspoken and never hit below the bolt."

He was remarkably enterprising and speculative in business, and reaped a rich, reward for his far-seeing, sound judgment. He had unlimited faith in the future of Taranaki. He loaves four sons (Mr. Frank McGuire, Hamilton, Ernest, Felix, and Edgar. Auckland) and four dauuhters (Mrs. W 11. McGarry, Hamilton; Mrs. A. Me(iarry, Elthani; Mrs. McVoagh, Eltham; Mrs. Moffit, Auckland): Mrs. McGuire was a daughter of the late Mr. J. Quin, .pf Wanganui.