TRIBUTE BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14110, 1 August 1911, Page 8

TRIBUTE BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

A SYMPATHETIC RESOLUTION

Tho special meeting of the City Council, held last evening, elected Mr J. J. Dougall to the ofece of Mayor, ana then passed a resolution of condolence with the widow and family of the late Mr T. E. Taylor. The motion, which was proposed by tho newlyelected Mayor, was in tho following "terms: —"That this Council deplores the death of the late Mayor, and tenders to Mrs Taylor and her family the heartfelt sympathy of the Councillors

and citizens of Christchurch." Speaking in support of this motion, Mr Dougall delivered an eloquent appreciation of the lato Mayor. He said that the lato Mr Taylor, though uofc bora in New Zealand, could be regarded, as an old Now Zealand boy. The major part of his education was acquired in this country, and it was here that he developed the aims and aspirations to 'ffnicii in later ytars ho had given expression. It would not bo wrong to say that he had fallen a little snort of genius. Some people had said that ho was a stagebeyond genius, because he failed to have that balancing power which genius exercised at a crucial moment, rio was, however, a man who possessed that greatest thing in life—the passionate love of a very great number of friends. Ho was also the object of somo of the bitterest opposition that any man had to suffer. That, perhaps, was entirely the result of tho man's personality, and ho was one of the greatest personalities in New Zealand. Ho was a man of ideas—-great ideas—and they were directed towards the amelioration of the lot of humanity and the elevation of humanity. (Hear, hear.) His whole life was an object lesson in the endeavour to uplift humanity and better the condition of his fellow men. When he first came into public Jjfo it was irv a strenuous fight to gain something which ho thought would ultimately bo for the beuefit of humanity, and whether they agreed with, him or not, . they could accord him their tribute of admiration for the manner in which he fought against enormous odds, and when ho could hope for nothing but humiliation and all manner of opposition from those whom he was fighting. A man who could face tho multitude as ho did had not only moral, but physical courage, and Mr Taylor possessed physical courage in a very high degree. That he had moral courage there could be no shadow of doubt. He was prepared to stand by his own opinions even if the whole country thought to tho contrary. As a friend, he had a charm about him which was to a great I extent extraordinary. A wonderful cnarm of personality characterised him when he was away from tho antagonis-

'■- tie influences of the public platform, c Ho seemed to dcvoTop an entirely new a nhaso of character, which those who i knew him merely through the platform V or the newspaper could not realise. As V Mayor he showed perhaps the same . limitations which characterised him as f a public man. In proposing this resold Jution it wae not right that he (tho s sneaker) should attempt to slur over f the defects of character Mr Tay!or possessed. His great defect was a somes' what reckless impetuosity, and an im- - patience that was disregardful of the - opinions of others. WTien he took an • idea into his head he must carry it i through no matter what opposii tion was raised. In forcing his issues ho failed to take into consideration tho fact that other men wore capable of forming opinion, and that before s any great idea could be reduced to con- - creto form it was necessary that it i should bo detailed and explained so , that people who could not readily grasp • it could thoroughly understand it, and • would be open for argument and criticism quito apart from any personality, j In his desire to improve the roads of • Christchurch ho gavo way to his char- , acteristic impetuosity and impatience, ■ and the ratepayers were not convinced • that tho scheme was -what the late I Mayor believed it to be. Ho (the > speaker) merely expreseed his opinion I on the subject. Air Taylor had con- > vinced him of one- thing, that tarred • macadam was tho proper material to I use for city roads, and that in Christ- , church it would become the main sub- , stance with which they wero to pave ■ their streets. There was, however, a I great deal to be said before the ratel payers would advance the money for that purpose. Mr, Taylor had been Mayor for three months, and he had galvanised the city into life on civic [ matters. • If he had done nothing else, j ho would havo been deserving of their -, best thanKs. But lie had done more ■ than that. Hβ was undoubtedly a , leader of men, and to the end he rejj garded himself as a leader. "Take him • jail through," Mr DougaJl continued, , "-we have lost a man —a man whom we [ could ill afford to lose. There is yet , this to be said: —No abuse could exist . and no undue influence could be used so long as Thomas Edward Taylor was [ in existence. (Hear, hear.) He was an absolute enemy to abuse, corruption, ■ or evil influence, that would unduly influence public life in any way whatever. We can leave him in his narrow bed, to rest as he wanted to rest after a strenuous life. But of Thomas EdI ward Taylor -we can say that his was ' "A life in civic action warm, "A eoul upon hiph mission cent, 1 A potent voice in Parliament, A pillar steadfast in the storm." Cr. H Hunter seconded the resolu- , tion. Hβ expressed the feeling of the 1 Sydenham people particularly when he ■ said that the loss was one to be very greatly deplored. He had lmown Mr 1 Taylor since boyhood, and had come to 1 love him. Mr Taylor had had to fight vested interests all his life, and he had also to fight the apathy of tho working men themselves. Cr. W. R. Smith said that the Chamber had lost much of its charm by j the death of Mr Taylor. He had left behind him messages which should prove an inspiration to thoso to whom they -were sent. The words he had left on national prohibition would be such an inspiration that the numbers would go up tremendously. They had lost a man who would not bo replaced for many years to come. Cγ. Holland said that words could not express his sense of personal loss. It had been a joy and pleasure to know , Mr Taylor, and he had felt irresistibly I drawn towards him. Mr Taylor worked . for the people, and he had tho honest conviction that everything he worked for was for the good of tho people. Of all his engagements, only one was left unfilled at the time of his death. That I was the meeting on the road scheme at Sydenham. Personally, Mr Taylor's road scheme had appealed to him", and if the city waited for twenty years it would not get a better one. Cr. Williams said that in Mr Taylor they had a friend as well as a Mayor. They would never know the extent cf his worth, and of the goodly deeds that had been done by him for the uplifting of humanity. The man was gone, but his influence would remain. Cγ. Millar said that the late Mayor was a man both physically and morally He did what he had to do with his might. It was his life's work to do i ' good for the people. Mr Taylor's h character should stimulate them to do good in the time left to each one. so that they could finally meet their Judgo a with the same courage. Mr Taylor Y> road scheme was worthy of him, and he (the speaker) was satisfied that th" i principle would be adopted ultimately' y tweaking with very great emotion, t Cr. Hart supported the resolution, a ml i

paid a tribute to Mr Taylor as "the friend of tlio worker. Ct. Sorensen added a. f ew wordg of condolence, and the motion was passed Councillors standing in silence. It was resolved that the Council attend the memorial service in Ihirham street church next Sunday, in a body.