Sykes, George Robert

George Sykes (New Zealand politician)
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George Robert Sykes (1867–1957) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Masterton, in the North Island.
Member of ParliamentGeorge Sykes represented the Masterton electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for 24 years from 1911 to 1935 (Wilson, p. 238).
Sykes was a member of the Reform Party but in 1919 stood as an Independent for Masterton and was successful (Wood, p. 103). He was awarded a Coronation Medal in 1937 (Taylor, p. 1030).
Ministers and Members in the New Zealand Parliament Edited by G.A. Wood (1996, Otago University Press, Dunedin)
The New Zealand Parliamentary Record: 1840-1984 by J. O. Wilson (1985, 4th edition, Government Printer, Wellington)
from web site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Sykes_(New_Zealand_politician) accessed 27 Dec 2011

Birth Details
1867/8415, George Robert Sykes - no parents listed

Marriage Details
1893/3019, Bride: Esther Elizabeth Bishop Murray, Groom: George Robert Sykes

Wairarapa Daily Times 1 August 1906
NEW ZEALAND FARMERS'' UNION.
MASTERTON BRANCH.
MR FOWLER, Organiser, will address members of the above in the A. and P. Offices, Perry-street, on SATURDAY, 4th inst. All are invited to attend.
GEO. R. SYKES,
Hon. Sec.


Wairarapa Daily Times 6 July 1917
Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., has notified the secretary of the Masterton Second Division League that he will be pleased to give an address at the public meeting to be held in the Municipal Hall on Monday evening next. Messrs Hornsby and Smith, M''s.P.,(sic) have also been invited to give addresses.

Wairarapa Daily Times 10 July 1917
MR G. R. SYKES, M.P.
The final proceedings at the mass meeting in the Masterton Municipal Hall last night was marked by mixed feelings — feelings of sympathy for our worthy member (Mr G. R. Sykes), and feelings of resentment and indignation against our morning contemporary. Mr Sykes had taken the opportunity afforded by the large gathering of people to make an explanation regarding an attack made by the "Wairarapa Age" on account of his having used a Government motor, at a cost of £8 to the country, to come from Wellington to Masterton when the news was received that Mr Sykes'' son had been killed in action at the Dardanelles. As Mr Sykes proceeded to read the letter of the Prime Minister, in which the latter stated that he accepted full responsibility for having placed the Government car at Mr Sykes'' disposal to enable him to proceed to his home in Masterton to soften the blow to his wife, there were murmurs of approval from all quarters. The thousand people present recognised in the action of the Premier the spontaneous sympathy of one man to another when one had sustained the heavy blow of a sudden and sad bereavement. Mr Sykes son had given his life for his country, and the one thought uppermost in Mr Massey''s mind was to offer the sorrowing father facilities for travelling home as speedily as possible. The train for Masterton had departed, and a car was the only means of reaching home to soften the blow on the bereaved mother. Mr Massey acted the man, and as he stated in his letter, read last night, he was pleased to say that every member in the House warmly approved of his action. The matter of payment for the car was never thought of by Mr Sykes; he had been offered the car by Mr Massey, and was grateful for the thoughtful act of the Premier. Mr Sykes lad had died for his King and country, and what a small matter the loan of the Government car was! Mr Massey would have done the same to any other member in similar circumstances, and any decent man would support his action. The spontaneous applause which punctuated Mr Sykes explanation showed that the huge crowd present last night heartily supported
the actions of himself and the Prime Minister, and were incensed at the action of the "Wairarapa Age" in attacking a man in connection with a matter that must cause untold grief to tho bereaved parents. The explanation made by Mr Sykes, and the trenchant reply he made to the editor of the "Age," were the expressions of a man who knew he had been wronged, and the sad circumstances connected with the incident moved the meeting as nothing else could have done. The people felt keenly for Mr Sykes, whose honour and integrity as a member of Parliament are undoubted, and who stands very high indeed in the opinion of all classes of the community, for he is known far and wide to be an upright man.



Nelson District Council Cemetery Records
Record No: WKNG18089
Family Name: SYKES
Given Names: ESTHER ELIZABETH BISHOP
Date Deceased: 1/04/1946
Interment Date: 3/04/1946
Age: 73 years
Gender: F
Address:
Area: NEW GENERAL
Cemetery: WAKAPUAKA
Plot 089
Block: 18
Grave/Ashes: Burial
Funeral Director: A SHONE & CO.
Notes E E B
A SHONE & CO. / NEW GEN.


Death Details
1957/23731, George Robert Sykes, Aged: 89Y - Date of Death 23/3/1957 from Death Registration

Masterton District Council Cemetery Record
Record Number: 007282D
Surname: SYKES
First Names: GEORGE ROBERT
Age: 0
Date of Death: 00
Date of Burial: 31/07/1957
Cemetery: Archer Street, Q E Park
Area: Cremation 1 Rose Plots
Row: 25
Plot:

Karori Cemetery
Last Name: SYKES
First Name: GEORGE ROBERT
Age: 89 Years
Deceased Date: 23-03-1957
Service Date: 26-03-1957
Service Provided: Cremation
Cemetery: Karori Crematorium
Record Number: 16042

Hutt Valley Cemetery Record George Robert Sykes, Date: 1957, Christ Church Anglican, Taita, Monumental Inscriptions, Reference: 122

Evening Post 25 March 1957
SYKES.- On March 23, 1957, at Masterton, George Robert, loved husband of the late Esther Elizabeth Sykes; in his 90th year. Funeral Service at St. Matthew''s Church, Tomorrow (Tuesday), March 26, 1957, at 11am. Cremation following at 2pm at Karori, Wellington.
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Mr. G. R. Sykes
Member of Parliament for Masterton from 1911 to 1935, Mr. George Robert Sykes died on Saturday at the age of the age of 90.
On leaving school he became a telegraph messenger but was soon promoted a telegraph operation. After a few years he resigned because of ill-health and ultimately became a successful breeder of prue-bred Romney sheep. He was a foundation member of the Masterton Co-operative Dairy Company, to which he was appointed secretary. In 1900 he assisted in the former of the Masterton branch of the New Zealand Farmers'' Union and later became its secretary. Four years later he was secretary of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Hereford Cattle Breeders'' Association, and the Lincoln Sheep Breeders'' Association. For several years he was secretary of the Masterton Dog Trials Association
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Mr. Sykes
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At the General Election in 1911 he contested the Masterton seat for the Reform Party and was returned with a large majority. Mr. Sykes then relinquished all his former appointments. He was a member of the Education Committee for the 15 years and chairman of the Public Health Committee for a long period. He was a member of Commissions appointed in 1929 to inquire into education system and into the Workers'' Compensation Act.
In 1935 he was defeated in a three-cornered contest by a narrow majority, Mr. J. Robertson winning the seat for Labour. Mr. Sykes became an organiser for the National Party and in 1942 retired into private life.
A son is Dr. P. H. Sykes, director of research and development with the British Oxygen Company in London. There are four other surviving members of the family, another son, Cyril George, having been killed at Gallipoli in 1915.

Probate George Robert Sykes, Place: Masterton, Occ: Retired, AAOF W5447 30/57, Filed: 28/3/1957, Will, Archives NZ, Wellington