The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1909. Soldier and Citizen.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1072, 31 December 1909, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1909. Soldier and Citizen.

The death of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Gorton, which occurred at his residence, "Rangihaetea," near Bulls, last evening, removes from our midst one of the most noteworthy figures in ISew Zealand history and one of the men who took no mean part in the development of the district of which Feilding is the centre. Settling here in the early days, when his prestige as -a military officer and a conscientious public servant was at its full, he naturally took a prominent place in the- affairs of the new district, and throughout a very long residence his reputation as a straightforward and public-spirited citizen, a family man of the best class, a true sportsman, .and a capable man of business has been maintained at the highest level. Conscientiousness was one of his most prominent characteristics, and, coupled with this, he 'had an abnormal detestation of humbug and sham, which probably lessened his popularity amongst tho unthinking portion of the population ; but amongst his intimates there were few who were co highly esteemed and so generally respected as the "Colonel," the appellation he was affectionately known by. It would not be an easy task to relate the numerous benefits he conferred on the very men who are now prosperous setters. - In fact, in connection with his stock-auctioneering business, it is well known that a great deal of the success of the back-blocks settlement has been due to the liberal help given in critical times by the firms of which the late Colonel Gorton was one of the /principals. It was always a pleasuro to do business with him, as his word was his bond, to be fulfilled to the letter ; and the utmost trust was placed in any undertaking he gave to thoso who had dealings with him. Esteem, respect, and trust truly typify the feelings of a very largo section of the settlers of this Coast towards him, and no greater tribute could any man earn from his fellows, than is so thoroughly and so unreservedly paid to him. The last few months of his life were characteristic of the man . Realising, after years of suffering, that the fell disease of which he died could only have one termination, the Colonel bore the agony he ha.d to endure with marvellous fortitude, and right up to the end he was much less concerned at his coming passage " through the r Shadow of the Valley of Death than were those near and dear to him. Words are poor avenues at such a time to express one's feelings, but we can pay for the community that they feel the poorer for the loes of a good soldier, a tjplendid public servant, a manly citizen, and an open-hearted friend.