Paper? 1931 Notable career ends- Death last evening-Long record of service

Few men in public life leave behind them such a distinguished record as Sir John Pearce Luke. C.M.G, whose death occurred at his home early last evening. Sir John suffered an illness five or six weeks ago, from which he was making a satisfactory recovery, but the nature of his complaint was such that even when progressing favourably during his convalescence it was possible for it to prove fatal at any time. This it did unhappily at 6. o'clock last evening when he collapsed unexpectedly and died.

Sir John was born on July 16 1858 at St Just, near Penzance, Cornwall, England and was a son of the late Samuel Luke and Ann Pearce both of that county. He was educated at the Penzance Wesleyan Day School and came to New Zealand with his parents in July 1874. He entered the engineering workshop of the late Mr. E.W. Mills where he completed his apprenticeships as an engineer, already begun in the old country. Subsequently he entered the service of Mr Edward Seagar, of the Victoria Foundry, and later was engaged by the government as one of the first engineers employed in the Petone workshops.
In 1879 with his father and his brothers he founded the firm of S Luke and Sons, a firm which was concerned with many important engineering ship building and light house construction works. Of this firm he was joint manager and director until the business was merged into the firm of Jas. J. Niven and co ltd.

RECORD IN CITY AFFAIRS

As councillor, Mayor and member of parliament over a period of many years, Sir John has left his mark upon the history of the city of Wellington.

He was first elected to the city council in 1898 and served between that year and 1911. From 1913 to 1921 he was Mayor of the city. Always an indefatigable social worker, his interest in that sphere resulted during his association with municipal affairs in the establishment of superannuation for council employees and the retiring allowance in connection with which a special act was passed.

In the development of the city his work has borne fruit in many directions. He was responsible when a councillor for the resolution bringing about the purchase of the old horse trams and the inauguration of the electric tramway system.
During his term of office as councillor he strongly advocated the reclaiming of the flats at the head of Evans Bay as the most suitable place for the extension of Wellingtons industrial quarter.
In 1918 he was elected Mayor and held office until 1921. In the first year the memorable waterfront strike occurred and later during his term of office, the war and influenza epidemic resulted in the country and city facing exceptional conditions.

MAYOR DURING THE WAR

As Mayor during the active war period and immediate post war years both Sir John and his wife performed such great service that the Returned Soldiers Association conferred upon them the signal honour of life membership of the organisation.
Not only in municipal affairs was Sir John and outstanding figure. He was for many years president of the New Zealand Engineers and Iron masters Association, and was actively associated wit the Wellington Industrial Association, the Wellington District Hospital Board, the Wellington Technical Education Board, and the Navy League.
His political career began in 1908 with his election as member for Wellington Suburbs. From 1911 until 1918 he was not a member of Parliament, but in the latter year was again elected this time as representative for Wellington North. He held this seat continuously until 1928, when he was defeated by the labour candidate by 47 votes during the 1924 session he was chairman of the Labour Bills Committee and he acted at various times on most of the important committees of the house.
He stood again as an independent coalitionist at the election last Wednesday, although his convalescence prevented him from taking an active part in the campaign.

At the time of his death Sir John was Chairman of the Wellington City Council Sinking Funds Commissioners and of the national War Funds Council. He was also a member of the commission which toured New Zealand to take evidence of the returned soldiers and their rehabilitation.

GOLDEN WEDDING LAST YEAR

Sir John was married in 1880 to Miss Jacobina McGregor, eldest daughter of the late Mr. H.A.McGregor, formerly Government inspector of machinery. They celebrated their golden wedding on November 25 last year

Sir John was knighted in 1921, having previously been honoured with the C.M.G His wife lady Luke, C.B.E who survives him, has a fine record of work in public and social affairs, and during the war did notable work for the welfare of troops. She is prominently associated with many organisations

Besides lady Luke, Sir John is survived by one daughter Mrs. E.H. Charlesworth of Lower Hutt, and four sons, Messrs. John Pearce Luke, George Luke, and Francis William Luke, of Wellington, and Mr Henry Alexander Luke, of Wanganni. There are 13 grandchildren.

The funeral,which will be a private one, will be held tomorrow, a service taking place beforehand at St Paul's Pro-cathedral at 11.15 am.

WELL KNOWN CITIZEN

SIR JOHN P. LUKE

By the death of Sir John Pearce Luke, which occurred suddenly last evening, Wellington has lost a highly respected and loved citizen, whose record in civic and political service has been a long and most useful one.

Sir John who was in his 73rd year was born in St Just, near Penzance, was born un St Just, near Penzance, Cornwall, and came to Wellington in 1874 with his parents. Within a month of his arrival in the capital Mr.Luke engaged to complete his apprenticeship with the late,Mr E.W.Mills, in the Lion Foundry, where he was soon in touch with a wide range of work.

In 1879 the late Mr.S Luke established the Te Aro Engineering works with his sons, Messrs C.M.Luke and John P Luke and the business prospered with the development of Wellington and New Zealand. Of this firm he was a joint manager and director until the business was merged into the firm of Jas.J. Niven and Co.ltd.

The public life of Sir John Luke commenced with his being elected a member of the city council for the Cook ward, and soon after his election he interested himself in the improvement of tramways. The resolution for the purchase of the horse trams, and the installation of an electrical system was proposed by Councillor Luke. he next concentrated on the abolition of the ward system, and had the satisfaction of seeing rapid progress for the greater Wellington movement. The duplication of the Wainui main was a project which he advocated from his early association with the council. As a member of the Reserves Committee,of which he was chairman for some years he strove with a will to provide playgrounds. He was elected to the Mayoral chair in 1913 and relinquished the office in 1921.having occupied the position for eight of the most eventful and strenuous years in the history of the Dominion, including the war and epidemic periods. As Mayor and Mayoress during the war period and the immediate post-war years, Sir John and Lady Luke performed such signal services that the Returned Soldiers Association conferred upon them the honour of life membership of the organisation.

Another sphere of activity was technical education, which was heartily encouraged during his chairmanship of the board.For many years he was a member of the hospital board.

He was elected M.P. for Wellington suburbs in 1908 and remained a member until 1911. In 1918 he was elected M.P. for Wellington. North and continued to represent that constituency until 1928. Sir John Luke's career as a member of parliament was one of great usefulness, particularly as chairman of the Labour Bills Committee and chairman of the Committee for consolidating the municipal laws, while he did good service as a member of several other important committees. He was leader of the New Zealand delegation which visited South Africa in 1924 in connection with the Empire Parliamentary Association.

At the time of his death Sir John was Chairman of the Wellington City Council Sinking Funds Commissioners and of the National War Funds Council. He was also a member of the commission which reported on the conditions of returned soldiers and made recommendations to the Government . For some years Sir John was a member of the Thorndon Bowling Club, previously belonging to the Wellington Bowling Club.

Sir John Luke was married in 1880 to Miss Jacobina M'Gregor, daughter of Mr.H.A.M'Gregor, formerly Government Inspector of Machinery. They celebrated their golden wedding in November of last year. He was knighted in 1921. Lady Luke who survives him has also a notable record of service in public and social affairs.

Sir John Luke is survived by his widow, four sons (Messrs. John Pearce Luke, George Luke, and. Francis William Luke of Wellington, and Mr. Henry Alexander Luke of Wanganui) and one daughter (Mrs E.H.Charlesworth *of Lower Hutt)

There will be a funeral service at St Paul's Pro-Cathedral to-morrow at 11.15.a.m. The internment will be private.

THE MAYOR'S REFERENCE

The Mayor, Mr.T.C.Hislop, referred at last night's meeting of the City Council to the passing of Sir John Luke, and said that he would not ask the councillors to formally express their regret and sympathy with the members of the late Sir John Luke's family at the moment, for he had given the city such long and useful service that he felt that he could not do justice to his fine record at such short notice. He therefore proposed to move a formal resolution at the special meeting of the council to be held on Wednesday next.

At the meeting of the Wellington Ratepayers Association last evening the president (Mr.H.H. Miller) made feeling reference to the death of Sir John Luke

As a mark of respect to the late Sir John Luke the annual presentation of awards won by students of the red cross Society during the past year which was to have taken place at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall tonight has been postponed until next Monday. Very deep and sincere sympathy is felt by members of the red cross for Lady Luke and the bereaved relatives. Lady Luke is a foundation member of the society, and at all times has displayed a lively sympathetic and keen interest in Red Cross affairs, and Sir john likewise has supported Lady Luke in her Red Cross activities.

The late Sir John Luke was president of the Wellington Camera Club, and its social evening, fixed for tomorrow has been postponed.

ENGINEERING TRADE'S TRIBUTE

Employers and men in the engineering trades throughout New Zealand, sitting in Conciliation Council this morning, recorded their sympathy with the relatives of the late Sir John Luke who was described by the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr P.Hally, as one of the most valuable men associated with the trade in the Dominion. Sir John's death, Mr.Hally said, would be a distinct loss to the trades and to public affairs in New Zealand. A letter expressing these sentiments is to be sent to Lady Luke

1871 Census 9 Rosevean Road, Penzance, Cornwall

Samuel Luke Head M 40 Iron Founder ............................................... Cornwall, Phillack
Ann Luke 41 Wife M ........................................................................... Cornwall, St Keverne
William Luke Son Unm 18 Engine Fitter .............................................. Cornwall, St Just
Samuel Luke Son Unm 16 Iron Founder ............................................ Cornwall, St Just
Charles Luke Son 14 Grocers Boy ....................................................... Cornwall, St Just
John Luke Son 12 Printers Boy ............................................................ Cornwall, St Just
James Luke Son 10 Scholar ................................................................... Cornwall, St Just
Elizabeth Luke Dau 8 Scholar .......................................................... Cornwall, Penzance
George Luke Son 6 Scholar ................................................................... Cornwall, St Just
Julia A Luke Dau 4 Scholar ..................................................................... Cornwall, St Just
Jane Luke Dau 2 ........................................................................................ Cornwall, St Just
Eliza Webb Boarder Unm 38 Upholsterer ............................................... Cornwall, Truro
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RG10; Piece: 2340; Folio: 61; Page: 22; GSU roll: 835094