THE FINAL ILLNESS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 11 May 1925, Page 5

THE FINAL ILLNESS.

CHEERFULLY BORNE,

’•>MR MASSETY’S OPTIMISM.

(By Telegraph.—-Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, May 11.

After many optimistic bulletins the general public .sustained a .severe shock when,, on March 30, it was officially announced that the Prime Minister’ll illness hiad later developed more serious symptoms, and that an investigation by operation had been deemet essential, and had taken place.

It can now he stated that the operation confirmed an opinion which ha* been forming in the minds of th< Prime Minister’s medical advisers tha. the severe pain in the sciatic nerve which had- been, the mast prominem symptom of the late Prime Minister’< illness, was unfortunately not the rea trouble, which was more deep seated The investigation, showed that the disease involved an important organ, and that Operative methods would be of nc avail. Medical opinion, placed ta fairly definite period to the Prime Minister’! life, but his friends built strongly or Mr. Massey’s wonderful constitution. He had not been seriously ill up til' this stage, and his constitution stood the shock of the operation splendidly. He had good pulse and above all. displayed strong will power, which, in this .critical time, was a. valuable factor.

Unfortunately the disease pursued a relentless . course, and though thf patient had intervals of cheerful nes.‘ and activity, and he was able to leave his bed for a chat at the fireside with relatives and close- friend®, there were relapses which caused great anxiety particularly during Easter week-end This bad period was followed by an im provement, when two restless nightwere succeeded by two nights of nor _ mal sleep, and it was reported that tin severe pain had reared. A critica condition again became evident on tin morning of April 30, followed bv J further rally, during which the Pre mier was fully conscious and cheerful

Thp Prime Minister’s incrensmr weakness during the oast two days hat caused a lapse into unconsciousness from which hp did not emerge. When the end came, in the pre sene, of his family, it was a consolin/ thought to all that until this fina stage, he could recognise and speak t< those privileged to be near him.

Mrs. Massey, for whom sympathetic anxiety was felt on account of her lack of good health, is hearing up bravely under fhe trying conditions.

A NATIONAL BURIAL PLACE. -As the sad event was fully anticipated, some thought had been giver to Mr Massey's last resting-place.- J 1 was decided, with the consent of th< family, that the grave should lie of •, national character. Accordingly s commanding site on Point Halswell. i rocky prominence on Miramar Pen in sula, inside Wellington Harbour, wa; chosen. It is part of the defence re serve, and near the site of the old for containing an eight-inch gun wind was too damaged for service. Thgrave will be a landmark to, all wh< enter or leave Wellington by sea.