DEATH OF THE HON. WILLIAM ROLLESTON,

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 34, 9 February 1903, Page 2

DEATH OF THE HON. WILLIAM ROLLESTON,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

ASHBURTON, this day.

The Hon. Wm. Rolleston died at his home, Rangitata, last evening, aged 71.

[Deceased was the son of the late Rev George Rolleston, MA.., who for over 50 years was rector of Maltby, near Doncaster, in Yorkshire. His brother, George Rolleston, F.R.S., was the wellknown Professor of Physiology at the University of Oxford. Mr Rolleston was born on September 19, 1831, and was educated at RossaU School, Lancashire, under the late Dr WooJJey. Entering at Emanuel College, Cambridge, in 1851, he became foundation scholar of his college in- the following year. In 1555 he graduated with classical honours. Mr Rolleston emigrated to New Zealand in 1858, and settled near Lake Coleridge. In 1863 he was appointed a member of the Education Commission, which framed the educational system of the province of Canterbury, and in 1864 became provincial secretary and a member of the Canterbury Board of Education. He was subsequently UnderSecretary for Native Affairs and Inspector of*t Native Schools under the colonial Government. Mr Rolleston was Superintendent of the province of Canterbury from IS6B to 1876. From 1868 to ISB4 he was M.H.R. for Avon, and in the latter year was returned for Geraldine. He was a member of the Hall Government from October 1579 to April, 1882, holding the portfolios of Minister of Lands, Immigration, Justice, Mines, and Native Affairs, for successive periods. In the Whitaker and Atkinson administrations which succeeded, he was Minister of Lands, and Mines from April, 18S2, to August, 1884. In 1891, on the retirement of Mr John Bryce from the leadership of the Opposition to the Ballance Government,' Mr Rolleston was unanimously selected to succeed him.]

Mr. Rolleston held the leadership of the Opposition for several years, but in the 1899 election for the House of Representatives he was defeated by Mr. G. W. Russell, who still holds the seat, by a single vote. A few years ago Mr. Rolleston was thrown from his horse, and he never completely recovered from the injuries sustained. These developed a form of paralysis, and he was bed-ridden for many months before his death. During that time, however, he took an active interest in public matters, and carried on correspondence with former colleagues and political friends throughout the colony, his daughter acting as amanuensis. The Hon. E. Mitchelson received several letters from him in this day. Mr. Rolleston, although identified latterly with the Conservative party, was a genuine Liberal at heart. He ia the real author of the system of perpetual lease in New Zealand. As originally framed in his Land Act. there was provision under this system for periodical revaluations, a proviso that the late Sir John McKenzie struck out. Canterbury owes a great deal to Mr. Rolleston's foresight, he having, when Superintendent of that province, set aside many valuable endowments for public recreation and education, and also with a view of conserving the banks cf the Avon for the public. He was a very warm-hearted man, and will be much lamented by a very wide circle of friends in all parts of the colony.