THE LATE MR CROSBIE WARD,

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 309, 7 January 1868, Page 2

THE LATE MR CROSBIE WARD,

The I/yttleton Times contains a most interesting memoir of the late Mr Crosbie Ward, in which a just tribute is paid to— his memory. After sketching his active' political career, the writer goes on to * say :■ — ' . , But the time was come when all political differences were to sink out of sight* in the deep regret felt by men of all parties at his compulsory retirement from political life: For when he took the office of Agent for the province of Canterbury * in England^ it was felt by all who knew him well that his career was nearly over. His disease had got such a mastery over him as to deprive him of rest, and to make his- life a protracted torture. He worked on here nevertheless, and wrote for this, paper as usual till he sailed for Melbourne in company with Mr Hall, to represent New Zealand at the Intercolonial Postal Conference ; and after doing his work there to the full satisfaction of the colony, he returned to New Zealand, and thence sailed for England via Panama, as Agent for Canterbury. By the mail before last we heard of his having negotiated the sale of .£150,000 of Provincial Debentures, and by letters that have just arrived, dated 26th October, we hear that he was doing his duty to the last with his wonted pluck, although not expected to Jive many days. Mr Selfe writes, "Poor Crosbie Ward is dying— sinking fast. He 1 will never leave his room alive, I think a few days will see the end ;— he is emaciated to the last degree, and suffers much. I saw him yesterday for a quarter of an hour, as he expressed a wish to see me. His mind is clear, and he bears up gallantly. * * * * I could not, of course, say much to him, in our- brief interview— -my anxiety being to prevent his being troubled about worldly matters. I begged him to leave to me any business arrangements of the office which he did not feel could be managed by others. But his pluck is wonderful, and he will dies in harness. He insisted on having an interview with Mr Larkworthy, the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and on dictating to the clerk at the office a despatch to the Superintendent." The telegram does not mention the date of his death ; but this, extract from a private letter shows us our old friend dying as he had lived, a brava unselfish man, doing the work he had found to do in this life with all his might, until death relieved him from his pain and from his labor. Thus it was ordained, for reasons wa - cannot fathom, that the. promise of an active and useful life should be blighted very soon. But after all, he has left work enough after him for one short life ; and he had inspired the public with an extraordinary confidence in his. future. Those who differed from him most, respected his scruples and did justice to his industry and ability. How mere differences of opinion appear to shinkinto insignificance in the face of death ! How incidental circumstances fade out of sight, and tha man assumes his real stature among his fellows, in our saddened thoughts ! Great success, or high position, or extended fame, are not the true measure of a man's claim to be remembered by his contemporaries with affection and respect. And New Zealand will find a niche among her departed worthies for one who, in his short career, had served her so honestly ad so well. Because he was just and pure and true in all his dealings— because ha ever strove to do his duly before God and man—because he was manly and firm in his public conduct, gentle and kind in his private relations ; therefore all love and honor, and respect— all tenderregrets and gentle memories, will gather round tha early grave of Orosbie Ward.