OBITUARY:

MARGARET HOME SIEVWRIGHT.

It is with, much regret that we announce the death, of Mrs William Sievwright, which occurredl at lier residence, "Hjaltland,'' North Giisborne, this morning. Mrs Sievwright had/ been in feeble health, for some time past, and! about a fortnight ago was compelled to take to her bed! with a severe internal complaint, for which an operation, performed! yesterday., failed to give relief. Mrs Sievwright is well known throughout New Zealand for the interest that she has taken in thewelfare of her sex and' the good, of humanity. Shu was one of the foundters of the National Council of Women, and was at the date of her death its greatlyesteemed president. She was looking forward with interest to the next annual meeting of the organisation. Only two dlays ago we published the text of a letter addressed by her to the pmsident of the Canterbury Women's Institute, urging stimulation, of interest in the work taken in hand. A few sentences deserve to be quoted, for they serve to show the kindly nature and< humanitarian .principles that actuated Mrs Sievwright : "We are not liero only to help ourselves. Our motto implies that only in helping others have we, perhaps, any right to expect to help ourselves. The National' Council of every -country at present, it seems to me, stands' for the promotion of justice, peace, co-operation in all that is understoodl by the old! formula,, 'Thy will be don© on earth, as iit is in Heaven.' They stand for the extinction, of poverty, ignorance, vice, crime, cruelty to.- man and beast, idleness, war, < slavery, intemperance and selfishness of every denomination." The deceased lady had been resident of Gisborne for about a quarter of a century M She made 'it her business to go about doing good, and many hold, grateful : remembrances of her for kindly help and thoughtful sympathy that she has given. She was foremost iu the fight for women's rights, and 1 before the diays of the enfranchisement of women, headed deputations to the Premier on the subject. When tlve franchise was finally conferred. Mrs Sievwright took much trouble to assist in educating her sisters as to their duties and! responsibilities as electors. She was a, strong temperance enthusiast, and 1 has for many years, been a member of the Waiapu Licensing Bench, taking a very keen interest in its work of administration. As. secretary of the children's section of the 1 Cook Memorial Pundi, she did good/ useful work. It was with much trepidation that Mrs Sievwright took part in public affairs. She was naturally, of a very, nervous disposition, and it was wonderful to those who knew her how she summoned up courage to take the lead l she did. The news of her demise will be received with very deep regret not only by a wide circle of friends in Gisborne, but by women throughout the colony, and even in distant lands by whom the name of Margaret Home Sievwright is held in the very greatest respect. We are sure that deep sympathy will be shown to Mr. Sievwright and family in their bereavement.