LATE MAJOR HART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1942, Page 2

LATE MAJOR HART

ABLE AND POPULAR OFFICER ACTIVE & SUCCESSFUL CIVIL CAREER. TRIBUTES PAID BY BENCH & BAR. Official advice has been received in Masterton that Major Irvine Hart, second in command of the Maori Battalion, has died of wounds. Major Hart, who was born at Carterton, was the son. of Mr and Mrs W■ A. Hart. He gained a scholarship which took him to St. Patrick's College, Wellington. From St. Patrick’s College he went to Victoria College, where he took his degree of Master of Laws. He also represented Victoria College at football and in boxing. For a time he resided in Carterton where he represented Carterton and the Wairarapa at football, being a member of the famous Wairarapa Ranfurly Shield team. He was recognised as one of the best backs the district ever produced. A plucky and resourceful player, his retirement from the game was a distinct loss to Wairarapa football. He took a keen interest in cricket and played for the Carterton Club and the St. Patrick’s Old Boys’ team in Masterton some seasons ago. In 1931 on the departure of his uncle Sir Herbert E. Hart for Samoa, Major Hart joined the legal firm of Messrs Hart, Daniel and Hart, being a member of this firm until his departure overseas. He volunteered for service in. September, 1939, and went into camp with the Second Echelon. After entering camp he sat for and completed his accountancy examination. He went overseas with the Second Echelon and, after being for a time in England, saw service in Greece and in the first Libyan campaign, where he was slightly wounded. He was recently appointed Second-in-Command of the Maori Battalion. Prior to the outbreak of war, Major Hart was a commissioned officer in the First Hawke’s Bay Regiment, at Masterton, and was very popular with the men under his command. Several men who were under Major Hart have also been killed. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to his wife (a daughter of Mrs and the late Mr J. F. Thurston) and two daughters. Requiem Mass in connection with the death of Major Hart will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Masterton, tomorrow at 9 a.m. COURT TRIBUTE. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Mr S. R. Gawith, on behalf of the legal profession, expressed ■ deepest sympathy with Mrs Hart and family in their loss. He said Major Hart was held in high regard by the legal profession and all who came in contact with him during the ten years he had been in Masterton. Mr N. G. Whiteman associated himself with Mr Gawith’s remarks. He said Colonel Love, former commanding officer of the Maori Battalion, who was killed in action, had been in the same Victoria University football team as Major Hart. Mr Whiteman paid tribute to Major Hart as a member of the profession and as a friend. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., expressed the sympathy of the Court and its officials to the relatives of Major Hart and adjourned the Court for a short period as a mark of respect.