AN HONOURED CITIZEN.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 7

AN HONOURED CITIZEN.

‘\IE MR. G. EDGECUMBE

REFERENCES AT COUNC3L MEETING OLD ASSOCIATES’ TRIBUTES. Feeling references to the late Mr George Edgecumbe, 'Hamilton's ‘gi'and old man,” wlio recently died at Auckland, were made by members of Hie Hamilton Borough Council at last night’s meeting. Before dispersing, the Mayor (Mr J. R. Fow) said it was with the greatest regret that he had to rei'er to the death of Mr Edgecumbe, who had been one of the leading citizens of the town for many years. The last occasion on which he had sat at the council table had been about 190 G. Although Mr Edgecumbe had gon&>, away from Hamilton to spend the; evening of his life with his daughter, | lie had never lost his association with) the town arid his interest in its people. He was one of the greatest ol 1 the' early pioneers and lire most honoured. His Worship expressed his condolence with the late gentleman’s family and his appreciation of lire high stand he had taken in civic and public matters during a long and honourable career. "I am proud to endorse every sentence the Mayor lias given expression to,” said Gr J. E.-Tidd, who recalled the time when, as a hoy, he had applied to Mr Edgecumbe for a position on lire staff of the Waikato Times.

From that day to tire time of Mr Kdgecumbo’s death they had been close friends. He had been a business man, a public man, a statesman, and an orator. No man ol' his acquaintance could summarise a 'situation, no matter how complicated, and express himself more concisely than Mr Edgecumbe. Cr. Tidd added that he had often wondered why the Hamilton district had never been represented on the Legislative Council, lie could think of no more worthy man than the late Mr Edgecumbe to have tilled such a position. "We have lost a very, very dear friend," he concluded. in another brief tribute Cr G. Lafferly described Mr Edgccumbe’s life as a great example which would be dillicull, to emulate. The council stood in silence as a mark of respect and passed a motion of sympathy with the late gentleman's relatives. . jmLti