The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10. THE LATE MR ROLLESTON.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1146, 10 February 1903, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10. THE LATE MR ROLLESTON.

By the death of the Hon. William Rolleston yesterday another of the links binding the present progress of the colony to the pioneering days of its history is snapped, and New Zealand has lost one of its foremost statesmen, a humani-_ tarian and a courtly, high-souled gentleman, embued only with the loftiest aims and ambitions to better the conditions of those in whose midst his lot was cast. The late Mr Rolleston was born in 1831, and was 72 years of age at the time of his death. He was one of a family of ten children of the Bev. Geo. Rolleston, of Manor Mably, near Doncaster, in Yorkshire. He entered Emanuel College (Cambridge) in 1851, became foundation scholar in 1852, and graduated in 1855 with classical honors." In 1858 Mr Bolleston emigrated to New Zealand, and settled near Lake Coleridge. He speedily began to take a part in the public affairs of the infant settlement, being appointed a member of the Education Commission in 1863, Provincial Secretary, and member of the Canterbury Board of Education in 1864, and subsequently Under-secretary for Native Affairs and Inspector of Native Schools 1 under the Colonial Government. His great abilities were soon recognised, and on May 22, 1868, after the resignation by Mr Wm. Sefton Moobhoose of the office of Superintendent of the Province, Mr Bolleston was elected to the position unopposed. The new Superintendent look office as a strong advocate of the retention of the system of Provincial Governments, encouragement of immigration, and development of the waste lands of the colony. On the expiration of his term of office as Superintendent, Mr Rolleston was nominated for re-election and returned with 1800 votes, as against 897 gained by the other candidate, Mr Mookhoose. In his address to the now Council, the Superintendent urged the construction of large wharfage works at Lyttelton—a subject to which he had been calling attention on more than one oceasion'previously. On September 31st, the now famous museum of Christchurch, in obtaining whioh for the public Mr Rolleston always evinced the greatest interest, was opened by him without any formality. On Jnly 14, at a general session of the Provincial Council, Mb Rolles»on announced the introduction of the new Education Bill, and urged the necessity of setting aside further reserves of land for educational purposes. The bill provided, amongst other things, that the Board of Education should consist of seven members, three nominated by the Superintendent, and four elected. Soripture read ing was provided for and the teachers might also by unanimous vote of the committee give religious instruction. It was farther stated that this might also be given by ministers on one whole day or two half days a week. The Bill passed the Council on August 7th practically as introduced. In 1872 the relations between Mr Rolleston and the Provincial .Executive headed by Mr Kennaway, were the reverse of amicable, and a public petition was drawn up for presentation to the Council praying that steps should be taken to obtain permission of the Governor for the dissolution of the Council. Nothing definite, however, was done. In a speech made at this time Mr Bolleston called attention to the industrial progress made by Canterbury in its food exports and in its agricultural produce and to the fact that the province, though the youngest of all the settlements, had been the first to initiate railways and telegraphs. On March 23rd, 1874, Mr Rolleston was re-elected superintendent unopposed and in his opening address urged the great importance of opening up communication with the West Coast. In 1875 the Council passed the Education Ordinance which provided that the work of education should be placed in the hands of the Provincial Executive of the day. Mr Romjsston to whom the proposals were submitted for approval, sent the Ordinance baok to the Council for reconsideration together with several suggested amendments relating to the appointment of a Board of Education, and also providing for a free system.

Mr Rolleston's connection with the General Assembly dates back to 1868, when he was elected for the Avon district, a constituency he represented continuously till 1884. At that time, when in Sir John Hall's Ministry (formed in 1879), Mr Rolleston took office as Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, and Minister of Lands and Immigration. Among the measures announced by the Grey Ministry, but never carried by them, were those relating to manhood suffrage, triennial Parliaments, representation proportioned to population, facilities for occupation of small farms on rural allotments, purchase of Native lands on terms fair to both races, and enquiry into unfulfilled promises by the Crown re the west coast of Taranaki. Measures based on each of these heads were brought forward by the Hall Government, and were given legislative effect under their supervision. The consolidation of the land laws was one of the first works of the new Government. The necessity for a definite system of land settlement had long been apparent to Mr Rolleston (the new Minister for Lands), and when the Crown Land Sales Act was passed in 1877 he had entered a distinct protest against the bill, as one that would stop the sale of land and hinder settlement throughout the country; consequently it was with satisfaction that he now found himself in a position to suggest to the House the repeal of that Act in the new Land Aet he was submitting. In this measure facilities were provided for a general deferred payment system throughout tbe colony and for establishing village settlements and association settlements of a special character. The Land Act Amendment Bill was carried in December, 1879, and came, into operation on the first day of tbe ensuing year. In 1882 Mr Rolleston introduced a new Land Bill which extended the operations of the existing system of land settlement, especially with regard to village settlements. It included a plan for leasing agricultural lands with fixity of tenure upon reasonable terms, a proposal which distinctly foreshadowed the legislation introduced by the late Sir John MoKenzie ten years later. It was, however, always Mr Rolleston's contention that leasehold should merely be an adjunct to the freehold tenure and should not replace the latter. Further improvements in the land laws were introduced by Mr Rolleston in the following year to promote settlement on small blocks, to discourage landlordism in all its worst phaßeß, and to regard the State as the first landlord. The perpetual lease system met with considerable success, and before the Atkinson Government wont out of office Mr Rolleston was able to say that in respect of the settlement of Crown lands the Government had brought it to a point from which he hoped it would continue to advance. Of Mr Rolleston's later Parliamentary career little remains to be said. As leader of the Opposition he rendered excellent service, and when in 1899 he was defeated by one vote, politicians of every Bhade felt that Parliament had lost the services of one of its most valued legislators.

The test selection contest at Masterton was won by the Wellington Garrison Band (now eleven times oßamjnon), with Wanganui seoond, and Kaikorai third. The Southland Battalion Band was seventh. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cable from their London office Tallow: There is no demand for edible sorts, and the market is quiet. Good beef and fine mutton tallow is worth 32s 9d and 34s 6d per cwt respectively." A fire occurred at Fortrose at an early hour on Friday morning, and destroyed a 4-stalled stable, forage room, loose box, a mare, and a quantity of» ( harness belonging to Charles Humphries, hotelkeeper, also a stable and harness belonging to John Anderson. The Fortrose hotel was saved with difficulty. The origin is supposed to have been accidental.— ' News.' Mr Frank Fraser, jun., who is leaving Gore shortly for Palmerston North, was entertained to a valediotory supper at Mrs Boag's boarding establishment on Friday night. Some 20 gentlemen attended. Mr W. F. Inder presided, and Mrs Boag provided an excellent spread. The chairman, in proposing the toaßt of the guest of the evening, presented Mr Fraser, on behalf of bis friends, with a gold albert and inscribed pendant. Mr Inder's felicitous remarks were endorsed by Mr Owen Kelly, and Mr Fraser made adequate response. A number of other toasts were honored, and during the proceedings songs were given by Messrs Walker and Kelly, recitations by Mr P. Eadie, a Highland Fling by Mr Bannerman, aud a violin solo by Mr C. Inglis, Mr Eadie playing the various accompaniments. Ten Whitehead torpedoes, with engine and compressors, which were stored in the torpedo sheds at Shelley Bay, Wellington, have been sold to Cable and Co., and the Colonial Iron Founders for £4OO. It is understood the disposal was made on the recommendation of the Admiral. Their original cost was something like £7OOO. Shooters are reminded that the Gore Gun Club is to hold competitions at the East Gore Domain to - morrow afternoon, when the following matches will be shot off: Mr E. A. Pigeon's cup, a five shilling sparrow sweep, and other inanimate and sparrow sweeps. A meeting of dolegntes from twelve districts, and representing about 250 rabbiters, was held at Invercargill on Friday afternoon, when it was decided to form an association to be called the Southland Babbit Trappers' Association, of which Mr Thompson, of Gap Boad, iB to be manager. The Association has acquired Mr Thompson's Gap Road works, aud begins operations on the 12th inst. Mr Geo. Fisher, M.H.R., was charged at the Wellington Magistrate's Court with a breach of a prohibition order, he having been found on licensed premises. He did not appear. Mr Jellicoe, who defended him, claimed that he was not in a state of mind to know what he was doing, and that his friends intended to send him to the Waitati Home for treatment away from temptations. The Magistrate granted an adjournment on condition that he was sent to the home, and spoke very strongly concerning those who offered defendant drink. The steamer Surrey will probably be the March steamer for South Africa under Government contract. This steamer has sailed from Wellington for South Africa, via Sydney and Fremantle, on 13th November, and arrived at Durban on 23rd December. She proceeded thence to I'ort Elizabeth and Capetown, eventually Bailing from the latter port on the 26th ult. for New Zealand, via Albany. The annual meeting of the Southland Pioneer Settlers' Association was held at Invercargill on Saturday, when a credit balance of £4 4s Id was reported. The following office-bearers were elected for tbe ensuing year :—President: Mr George Lumsden ; Vice-Presidents: Messrs J. W. Mitchell, H. Cameron, John McCroßtie, and A. Calder ; Hon. Secretary : Mr T. Fleming; Hon. Treasurer: Mr Wm. Lewis; Committee: Messrß M. Mair, T. Mac Gibbon, W. B. Scandrett, Angus McKay, and It. Ccupland. The Mornington cable tramsheds, engines, and plant were wholly destroyed by file yesterday morning about three o'clock. It is supposed the fire started in the office. It burnt the adjoining three houses and store facing the town belt, occupied by Mr Lowden, tram engineer, Mr G. W. Grigg, Police Constable Power, and Mr Weir. Practically nothing was saved. The Moruington Council was about to take over tbe Tram Company. Mr Seddon has received from the Secretary of State a cable with reference to the South African meat contract. It statos that it was impossible to call for tenders earlier owing to the military arrangements not being entirely settled, ltegret is expressed that the military authorities in South Africa state that it will be impossible to extend the period for tendering. Tbe shortness of time affects all equally. The condition of the contract is that supplies are to be obtained from British Imperial sources if possible. The Agent-General is to again urge on the War Office to give an ex ; tension of time.

The superiority of our goods is not in words but in solid merit. This is getting to be universally recognised, and the sales of the New Century Soft Rubber Hair Curlers are rapidly increasing.—(Advt.) Mr Mackay, dentist, will visit Waikaia on Thursday, sth Me.rch. Unblended Honda: Lanka is the tea for Gore people. Use New Century Soft Rubber Hair Curlers. Note dates on which N.Z. Shipping Co.'s steamers leave. Accounts in estate of late Henry Thomas Maoartney, Mataura, to be in by 4th March. Rabbit traps, binding twine, bicycles, etc., at J. and J. Gait's, Mataura. Burrows Bros., nurserymen, East Gore, have hothouse tomatoes for sale. B. Lawlor, Rivorsdale, returns thanks to National Fire Insurance Co. \Y. A. Thompson, Winton, inserts notice to rabbiters. D. Manson's salvage sale at Riversdale still on. Meeting Mr McNab's election committee tomorrow night. Clayton, the Gore photographer, still leads the way. Meeting shareholders Invercargill StarrBowkett Society on 11th inst. Gore Gun Club hold sparrow match tomorrow afternoon. J. Mac Gibbon and Sons want improver for millinery department. J. Beattie, draper, is selling remnants of prints at bedrock prices. Thomas Green returns thanks to those who voted for him yesterday. Mr J. J. Ramsay will address meetings to rabbiters on dates notified. J. G. Ward and Co., Gore, have draught horses for sale. Tenders invited for erection of house in ERst Gore.