THE LATE MR. COLVIN, M.P.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1919, Page 8

THE LATE MR. COLVIN, M.P.

TRIBUTES IN THE HOUSE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives tonight, at the close of the formal business, Mr. Massey rose to move the usual motion of condolence with the relations of the late Mr. Colvin. In doing so, he said he was never so shocked in his life as when he heard last night of Mr. Colvin's death. Only a few minutes before they had seen him in his place in his usual Health and looking at peace with all. And so he was, for he could not believe he had a personal or a political enemy. He was an ideal representative of the goldfields district. He had been a sterling pioneer, as his record-showed, for he lived in the district where he finally settled down for fifty years, and represented it in Parliament for twenty years. There was, at the end of that time, ho sign of slackening in the support of his adifcirers It was generally understood he was not seeking re-election, but they were nil looking forward to seeing him still in the halls of Parliament, doing useful work in another place. This was not to be, for he had now passed over to the other side and had joined the great majority They had been personal friends for twenty years. He knew him well. He was a man well known for his genial smile, for his strength of character, and for his straight going and fair dealing. It would be long before he would be forgotten by all who had ever had political or personal dealings with him. Following the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, speaking under stress of deep feeling, said he, too, had been greatly shocked at the news of the death of the- late Mr. Colvin. Ever since he first met him he was always the same courteous gentleman —one of Nature's gentlemen. He was ever unpretentious and unassuming, but he always won the confidence of those with whom he came into contact. The House would miss him, because it always knew him for his straight dealing. His heart was bigger than his pocket, but he was ever ready to help the needy. Sir Joseph Ward read a number of telegrams received from sympathising friends, and concluded with a touching reference to the .many fine qualities of the deceased.

Mr. Scott read an appreciation resolution passed by the Goldfields Committee, of which the deceased was a member, and I which was to be recordeo! on tiie minutes of the committee. Messrs Wilford, McCalium, Field (Nelson), Ell, Payne, Holland, and the Hons. A. M. Myers, A. T. Ngata, J. A. Hanan, and Dr. Thacker nil paid touching tributes, and at 3.36 p.m. the motion was agreed tu. The House adjourned till 7.30 p.m. as a tribute to the memory of the deceased member. VERDICT AT THE INQUEST. Wellington, Last Night. At the inquest on the body of Mr. •lames Colvin, former M.P. for Buller, the coroner found that the deceased died from the effects of injuries received through being accidentally struck bv a tramcar. The coroner added that the accident was a most unfortunate one, and he did not think the tram driver could be held responsible for it. The late Mr. Colvin, M.P., who was killed in Wellington on Wednesday night, was bom at Donegal, Ireland, in IS'll, and wag thus 75 years of age at the time of his death. Educated at Donegal, he emigrated to Australia in 1881, and engaged in gold-mining at Creswick Creek and Daylesford. Coming to Otago'in 1862, he worked on the gold mines at Dunstan and Wakatipu, afterwards coming to Wakamarina, and keeping stores successively at that place, Waimea, Hokitika, Grey Valley, Addison's Flat, and Westport (1872). From 1885 to 1891 he was a member of the Buller County Council; chairman of the Westport Harbor-Board in 18110; a member of the Nelson Education Board and Harbor Board in 18114; and Mayor of Westport from 1808 to 1900. As a supporter of the. late Mr. Soddon, he defeated Mr. P. J. O'Regan for Buller representation in the House of Representatives in 1599, being returned at the head of the poll by a majority of 544 votes. He has represented the constituency ever since. In 1900 he was made Senior Government Whip, and in 1910 was appointed Chairman of Committees of the House of ; Representatives. He was Minister for Mines in the Mackenzie Ministry from March 28 to July 6, 1912. Of a most lovable disposition, Mr. Colvin easily earned and held the high esteem of all with whom he was associated. In the precincts of Parliament he was one of the best known figures. He was respected, not only by fliose in the Liberal Party, of which he was so staunch a member, but by men of all shade* of political opinion, and his sudden end i? regarded as a personal loss by all in Parliament.