STARTLING RUMOUR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 11 October 1913, Page 5

STARTLING RUMOUR.

SIR GEORGE REID. SUPPOSED TO HAVE DIED AT SEA. (Received La«t Night, 7.40. o'clock.) SYDNEY, October 10. There are unconfirmed rumours in the city that Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth, who is en route to Australia;, died when passing through the Red Sea.

RESULT OF INQUIRIES

THE RUMOUR DISCREDITED.-

(Received Last Night, 11.90 olclock.) SYDNEY, October 10.

Inquiries made in. various direc tions, including the Federal Depart-, ments, nave failed to disclose any foundation for the rumour concerning Sir George Raid's death. '

[The Right Hotn. Sir George Reid, P.C., High Commissioner for Australia since 1910, was born at Johnstone* Renfrewshire, Scotland, on February 25th, 1845. He became a barrister in New South Wales in 1879, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1880. He was member for East Sydney, with a break in. 1884-5, until 1901. He represented East Sydney in the Federal Parliament from 1901 to 1909. For some years he was Ijeader of the Federal Opposition, and in 1904-5 was Prime Minister of Australia. * He was Prime Minister and Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales from 1894 to 1899, during which period, as senior Premier,

he carried the Federal movement to a successful issue. He was one of the best platform speakers in Australia. During the thj-e© years he has been High Commissioner he has rendered yeoman service to the Commonwealth. He was married in 1891 to a daughter of Mr John Bromby, of Tasmania.]