SIR JOHN LOGAN CAMPBELL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 24 June 1912, Page 7

SIR JOHN LOGAN CAMPBELL.

j.2 TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, June 23. "It was a beautiful day when we set out; in fact, it was always beautiful weather whenever we started on a journey in those far-off days, because we always waited for a fine day. Time was of little account." Thus wrote Sir John Logan Campbell about the setting-out of a little party from Waiau (CoromandeD to visit for the first time the Waitemata, of which they had heard such glorious accounts. And now the Father of Auckland has set out on his last long journey, alone, in the chill of the year, with his beloved Waitemata lying grey beneath, the winter sun, and Maunga- , kiekie standing out against a sombre Western sky—everything grey, but peaceful, as though in sympathy with the sorrow of the people who mourn the passing of Auckland's most revered citizen. But his memory will be a sunny one. He will live always in the affectionate remembrances of Aucklanders.

The grand old man, full of years and honor, passed peacefully away in his sleep this morning, just before the dawn, when the waters of the Waitemata, upon which he had looked out so often from his home on the cliff, were just at the last ebb. The tide and his dauntless spirit went out together, but, not until Waibemata forgets to return twice every day to the scenes he loved so well will his name pass into oblivion. Sir John had reached a great nge. He would have been 95 had he lived till November. People expected the worst when they heard, a few" days ago, that he had been compelled to takt* to his bed. so that the news of his death was not unexpected. This morning flags at the Town Hall and Albert Park and throughout the city were flown at half-mast, and the death was the principal topic in Queen street,, notices outside the newspaper offices being eagerly scanned by large numbers of people throughout the morning. People spoke about the deceased with the greatest respect and affection, and the demise of a private citizen has never before caused such widespread interest. He has been connected with the history of the place so long that it was hard to realise that the link had at last been broken. At the request of many leading citizens, who recognised that the only fitting resting-place for the remains of Auckland's benefactor was Maungakiekie, the crowning glory of his noble gift to the people of New Zealand, arrangements have been made for his interment there, the necessary permission having been obtained from the Government and local authorities. Arrangements have been made for the funeral to leave Kilbryde, Sir John'u late residence, on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. _ The Acting-Mayor (Mr John Court) intends to invite the citizens of Auckland to close their business premises for the afternoon as a mark of respect, and in order to enable those who so desire to attend the funeral.

Mr A. M. Myers, Minister for Railways and Defence, left Wellington this morning in order to be present at the interment.

'The will left by Sir John Campbell will not be opened until after the funeral on Tuesday afternoon, but it ss miderstod that various public institutions will benefit by the generosity 'of the grand old man, who has already done so much for his loved city. and whose princely gift of One Tree Hil] Domain was but one of many indications of the great public spirit which marked his life's history.