THE ROLLESTON MEMORIAL,

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11536, 19 March 1903, Page 4

THE ROLLESTON MEMORIAL,

Tho meeting held to consider the Rolleston memorial yesterday was worthily inaugurated by the fine speech delivered by the Hon. C. C. Bowen. A life-long friend of the deceased statesman, who had been associated with him in a good deal of his publio work on behalf of tho colony,' he was able to speak with knowledge and conviction of the high qualities and noble work .of hit departed comrade. Nothing could bo more just than his statement of the reason why there is such a strong feeling in favour of 'perpetu-tLug: Mr Rolkston's memory—namely, that the people have a conviction of his absolute singleness of purpose in tho public service, and the absence of self-seeking in connection with public affairs:— v "His voice is silent in your Council-hair For ever; and whatever tempests lour For ever silent; yet remember all He spoke among you, and the Man who spoke; Who never sold the truth to serve tie hour. •Nor paltered with Eternal God for power." Tho form of the memorial proposed, nameiy, a statue, to be nJaced in some public position, we think will command general approval, more especially when it is known that" tho proposal finds favour with Mr Rolkston's family. Those who knew him in life will be glad to be reminded from time to time of his fine, clear-cut countenance, fit index to a liberal mind and a •rteriing character. The rising generation will ask who is the man so honoured in his memory by his fellow-colonists, and the story of his life and character should inspire them, too. with a desire to do noble deeds and cherish noble thoughts. We are

1 glad to see that it is not intended to restrict the movement to Canterbury. All over tho colony are men" and women w&o »re reaping the benefit of Mr Rolleston*s work and legislation, many of whom knew and esteemed bin. as a man, and theses we fee! sure, will be only too pleased to help in the movement. In the meantime we cannot too strongly urge those of our readers who feel in sympathy with tie proposal to communicate at once with "either the Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C., Christchurch, the Chairman of the Committee, or Mr C. Lewis, M.H.R., Christchurch, the hon. secretary and treasurer, who will be pleased to receive any subscriptions.