DEATH OF MB J. SHEEHAN. M.H.R.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7575, 13 June 1885, Page 5

DEATH OF MB J. SHEEHAN. M.H.R.

[Peb Pbess Association.] NAPIEE, June 12. Mr John Sheehan, M.H.E., died at Petane at twenty minutes to four this afternoon, of inflammation of the brain. He had been ill only a' few days. The funeral, it is believed, will take place on Sunday. AUCKLAND, June 12. Very general regret is felt here at the tidings of the death of Mr Sheehan. WELLINGTON, June 12. General regret is expressed at Mr Sheehan's death.

BIOGEAPHY OF THE LATE MEMBEE. [FBOM OUB SPECIAL OOEBEBPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, June 12. I am indebted for the following short sketch of the late Mr Sheehan's life and career to one of his. most intimate friends, a member of Sir G. Grey's Ministry :

Mr John Sheehan was the eldest son of Mr David Sheehan, one of the original settlers of Auckland, who, though a carpenter by trade, had raised himself to a very respectable position in society, and was for a long time a. member of the Provincial Council. Like many men of more than ordinary ability, however, he inherited his talents from his mother. She was a most remarkable woman, and her memory is still cherished by many old Aucklanders. Her house was a centre for many of the earlier settlers, in whose affairs she interested herself, and who looked to her for counsel, encouragement or consolation., Bushmen and rough swaggers, who cared for no man, would drop in to " Mother Sheehan," and leave their money in her care. It was no wonder at all that she was universally beloved, and that at her funeral the people flocked to the grave to such an extent that the town was nearly deserted. Itwasjokiugly said that had a lire occurred at the time there were not enough people left in Auckland to extinguish it. Mr Sheehan was educated entirely in Auckland. His father obtained for him the best education possible, and as soon as he was old, enough he was articled to the late Mr Merriman, a leading lawyer of Auckland. Mr Merriman dying, he was placed successively with Messrs Wynn and J. B. Russell. He gave early promise of great ability, and made some show at the Bar soon after he was admitted. But politics were his proper sphere, and, on the retirement of his father from local political life, Mr Sheehan was elected to the Provincial Council at the head of the 'five members elected to represent the northern division of the Province of Auckland. He was one of those who resolved to ask Sir George Grey to stand for the Superiutendency: Some time before this he had been Provincial Secretary during the Superintendency of Mr (now Judge) Gillies. In the Council, he gave early promise of that power in debate of which he afterwards gave so many examples in a larger arena. I It was in the session of 1872 that he first entered Parliament, and in his maiden effort gave evidence of that wonderful readiness of speech which afterwards distinguished him in so marked a manner. The seconder of the Address-in-Beply, from some unexplained cause, failed to appear in his place to fulfil the duty. Sir .William Fox, after the sitting had begun, stepped across the House and asked Mr Sheehan if he would be kind enough to fill the breach. Without a moment's hesitation or preparation of notes, without even the orthodox dress suit, Mr Sheehan rose and made a speech on the spur of the moment, which Sir' William and Sir E. Stafford spoke of as the best maiden speech they had ever heard in the House. It was a speech which drew attention to the fact that he waa the first native of New Zealand of European blood who had sat in the House of Representatives, and at the time it was' thought a bold one. He claimed for the native born New Zealanders that, when they came to be representatives of the people, the interests of the Colony would be better served than in the _ past. Mr Sheehan was a warm Provincialist, and took a very leading part in the Parliamentary warfare during the dying struggle of Provincialism. When Abolition destroyed the land marks that had hitherto served to distinguish parties, he aided Sir George Grey in the battle with Sir J. Vogel and the Atkinson party, which culminated in Sir G. Grey's victory in 1877, and the triumph of Liberal principles. In the Government of which Sir G. Grey wa3 head, he assumed the portfolio of Native Minister, which he held until the fall of the Administration. His more recent career is green in the recollection of tho&e who are familiar with politics. He has passed away in comparative youth, being little over 35 years of age, leaving, it may be truly said, not one enemy behind him. In the dark days of their politics he was the life and soul of his party, incomparably the best debater, with a facility of expression and a genial humour that often scored a point, but never made an enemy. His Parliamentary fighting was always of the fairest. He hit hard, but never below the belt. His nature was so kindly that he might almost be said not to have possessed a temper, while his readiness of resource, knowledge of apropos, and human nature was so remarkable that to him there was never a Gordian knot too intricate to unravel, or a man so surly that he could not win him back to a good temper. He was refined in many of his tastes, being no mean musician, and a more than fair linguist. His public utterances were racy, logical, and eloquent. A firm Liberal in politics, he was a staunch advocate of secular edu--

cation. BTe married in 1882, but leaves no ianily. To this interesting sketch it is necessary for me to add very little of my own recollections concerning Mr Sheehan. He was, when at his best, the readiest debater in the House, and to be interrupted with him was synonymous with scoring a point against the adversary. But he has sadly fallen off during later years, and even his skill aa a tactician and whip was failing him; still if Opposition factions were losing their heads and wasting time in stupid argument and growing angry, it was always " Johnny " Sheehan who rose to pour oil on the troubled waters. His Irish gift of ready wit was never maliciously employed, and a personal fascination which he «ould exercise when he chose, very few could withstand, even if they disliked him personally. For John Sheehan was one of those bright, genial, generous, weak men, of whom it is customary to say that he is no man's enemy but his own; into any particulars of the reasons why, it is scarcely necessary to enter. His abilities and political experience were such as might have entitled him, hod he been cast in a firmer mould, to look forward to grasping the highest prize 'to which a New Zealand statesman Joay aspire. Similar terms may »be used of hira in regard to his profession. There was no man whose return to the House would have been more sincerely welcomed. There is no man who will be more widely regretted when the news of his death becomes known. There has been no native-born public man. who has started in life With more brilliant prospects; none could leave it under sadder circumstances; or bequeathing to those who knew him a more frequent example of bright promise marred. His death is .the topic of conversation all through the lobbies.