The Star SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1923. THE PASSING OF A NOBLE CITIZEN.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 14 July 1923, Page 6

The Star

SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1923. THE PASSING OF A NOBLE CITIZEN.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Kornianby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Uangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakoho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

It was said by England's greatest dramatist that -.with many great men "the good is oft interred with their bones/ interring that there is much less chance of good than of evil surviving after a man's death. But may it not be truly said that a man's good works or their influence are left behind to keep his memory green in the hearts of the people. There have been many fine men in various walks of life who have lived and worked in Taranaki, but perhaps none has been better known or more highly esteemed for those qualities which raised him to a position of great influence in the community of South Taranaki than Sir Robert Nolan, whose death was recorded in Auckland last night. For many years his name was a household word in this district, j during the time he was in business here, and at the same time taking a worthy i part in any local activities that were' for the benefit of the town. His magnetic personality and breezy bonhomie endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, For these qualities he will long be remembered. But Sir Robert Nolan's talents were such that South ! Taranaki did not offer a wide enough! field, and what will make his name live j in th& memory of the people of the whole Dominion is the wonderful work he did in London during the whole period of the war. That work is too | well known to require more, than brief mention. Suffice it to say that it was responsible for helping in a way that can never be adequately expressed many thousands of "Diggers'' who would otherwise have probably been more or less stranded in the. greatmetropolis. It is impossible to estimate the value of such a work as Sir Robert did in those days—a. work done! for the nation—a work,which only one!, who. lored his fellbwmen could possibly, have done. Thousands of those men and their relatives have had cause to thank Sir Robert and the fine men and • women who worked with him. It is | only a brief month since we wrote that • the honomr of Knighthood conferred on him was well deserved and most fitting. We' have good grounds for saying that, in the way characteristic of the man, he was averse to accepting the honour, but was persuaded to take it. as it was an honour to the "Diggers" aaid to all the workers in that great cause. We said then that we de- . sired .to. join heartily in the congratulations showered upon him. Little . did we think when we wrote on June 2 that so. soon we should have to say that we join most sincerely in the expression of deep sorrow which we know the news of his death will occasion throughout the Dominion. Sir Robert did not live long to enjoy the honour which His Majesty conferred upon him, but we cannot but feel glad that it was awarded before he died for conspicuous ser- ! vices to his country. A true citizen,!' a lover of his Empire, his King, and of ! his fellowman has gone to his long rest. ' Such a fine character and his noble work will-be long remembered. . .»