LATE HON. JOHN BRYCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 22, 25 January 1913, Page 9

LATE HON. JOHN BRYCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Many will be pleased to read, in Saturday night's "' War," a tribute to the memory of th<? late Hon. John Bryce, one of the sterling old-time colonists, now but a remnant. There can be no douibt that Mr. Bryce was quite unfitted for party leadership, there 'being not a particle of give-and-take in his composition. He wae uncompromising in every respect, alike to friend or foe. I rode with ihim as a trooper in the old Wtnganui cavalry in the troublous times of ISGS-68. An argument would start when we were on patrol riding, single file, through country that is now one of the finest districts in the Dominion, then entirely uninhabited through dread of native aggression. Mr. Bryce would keep that argument going right tftroug'h the long weary ride, which often lasted from aibout 3 a.m. till after sundown. Then at the camp fire, in the guard tent, it would start again, but Mr. Bryce was never known to yield 'his point. Many friends of both gentlemen greatly regretted the estrangement of Mr. Bryce and Mr. Ballance, at one time firm friends. The former was a man whom it took a long time to know, being somewhat repellant in his nature, apparently aggressive in demeanour, and very reticent. But well he earned the sobriquet of " Honest John Bryce." He was 'honest to tlhe backbone, and his word would have been taken without hesitation by any fellow-colonist in tSiose early days. His severance of his political life was deeply regretted, as although not successful as a leader, he was a splendid representative for his constituency, who had the fullest confidence in alf his actions. "His motto and guiding prin-

ciple throughout life, .private and' public, was distinguished more by the "fortiter in re" than the "soaviter in modo." I venture to say, however, that when New Zealand history is written, every historian will accord due honour to the name of "Honest John Bryce."—l am, etc., A. McM. Auckland, January 20.