MR LOCKE’S RETIREMENT.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 23, 4 August 1887, Page 2

MR LOCKE’S RETIREMENT.

We feel certain that the electors of this district will sincerely regret the cause of Mr S. Locke’s retirement from the forthcoming contest. Although we are far from sharing his political opinions, and should, if he had stood for the seat, have done all in our power to prevent his return, yet we must in all fairness to him, give him due credit for the honest, strightforward way in which he has worked for the interests of the district which he had the honour to represent in the House. His intimate acquaintance with native affairs, his unobtrusive cordiality of manner, and his sturdy honesty of opinion, deservedly won him many friends amongst the members, friends, who, to-day, will make common cause with ourselves in regretting that a continuously weak state of health prevents him from again contesting the seat. It was only too painfully evident to all who were present at his farewell meeting that Mr Locke was far from fit to enter upon 3 prolonged and, from the extent of the

district, a necessarily severe struggle, and there can be little doubt that in sacrificing his personal and justifiable ambition to once more represent the district, he has yielded to advice which will be conducive to much improvement in his health, Mr Locke’s many good qualities have earned for him the esteem of the electors, and those who have known him the longest are amongst his warmest friends. Once again we must express our genuine regret that ill-health should have brought ftfeddt this result, and sincerely thUSt that his absence from the turmoil and worry of politics may tend to restore him to his pristine health and strength. That such may speedily be the case, is, we feel sure, the earnest wish of every settler in the Bay.