SIR HARRY ATKINSON—FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Issue 19, 23 July 1934, Page 8

SIR HARRY ATKINSON—FIFTY YEARS AGO

(To the Editor.) Shy—ltems from "Tho Post" fifty years ago aro interesting to contemporaries of that date in reviving old memories and to the* present generation in giving it some idea of tho events of half a century ago. But when ap item reflects upon tho character of j a pioneer and statesman of the old days there is a danger that a criticism which is based 011 a rumour and which is ephemeral and superficial may give the | young.folks of today, to whom such statesmen are often only names, an entirely erroneous idea of the character, of the leader under royiow. This was particularly tho caso in tho chronicle of the rumour that tho lato Sir Harry Atkinson was "intriguing" for an alliance with Sir Gcorgo Grey, and the implication that ho was capable of a "desperate attempt to retain offico at any price." No politician ever, existed who was loss given to intrigue or had less desiro to retain oflico. 110 was downright and honest, and devoted his lifo to the service of his country. As Reeves says in "Tho Long White Cloud," "Tho only glory ho sought was 'tho glory of going on,' and of helping tho colony to go on."

When, with tragic suddenness, lie died in harness in tho Legislative! Coun-, cil in 1892, there was not alono siucerc : sorrow among tho circle of friends and i allies who know his sterling character J but, inasmuch as however, hard ho had hit in debate it lias never been below the belt, his opponents joinod in regretting that so bravo.and faithful a public servant had not been sparod to enjoy1 the rost ho had well earned.—l am, etc., H, F. YON HAAST,