Neslon Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1893.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 99, 28 April 1893, Page 2

Neslon Evening Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1893.

AtfXER the telegram which was received late yesterday afternoon and published, it wa3 ovideut that Mr Bal* lanco had not long to live. In face for many mouths his friends have had the gravest fears and have dreaded that he would never return to work. He, however, made a bravo fight, aud seemed to hope against hope. Time- after time the publio were told that tho Premier expected to resumo [active duty in no long time, and till just before his death it was not widely known how critical was his state. Notwithstanding his long illuoss and tho consequent fa:t that his doath cannot} be called euddeu, the news will cause a great shock throughout the coloay. As happened after the death of Sir Harry Atkinson, people of all sorts of views on political subjects will join in mourning tha death of a mau who gave the boat of his ability, which was groat, to the service of the colony, aud who from hia courteßy and kindness was liked by all who encountered him. Mr Ballance's buccosb in colonial politics is the moro romarkablo as ho was neither a native of the colony nor, comparatively speaking, a very old settlor. He was a native of Antrim and as a lad wont to Belfast; to learn tho business of an ironmonger. He aftorwards Bpent some time in England bofore migrating to New Zealand which ho did in 1875. He Bottled in Wanganui and after some timo spout in business became connected with tho Wanganui Herald, of which he became editor aud proprietor. From his youth upwards Mr Ballance had a love for literature, and many of his spoeches showed that he had a great breadth of reading. In 1875 ha entered the House of Representatives as member for Rangitikoi, a seat which ho afterwards changed for that for Wangauui. His first reported speech in Parliament was an elaborate one made on August 17,1875, 0n the Abolitionof Provinces Bill, a measure which he supported, and iuthe divisions he was opposed to many of his later colleagues. Mr Ballauce waß by no means a loquacious mau, and his speeches in Parliament when he was a private member were never frequent. When he became a Minister, he had, of course, to speak oftener, but even then he filled much less of Hansard than many unofficial members. Mr Ballance first took office as Colonial Treasurer under Sir George Grey on the retirement of Mr Larnnch. He> held the position until his celebrated disagreement with his chief, shortly after which tho Government was defeated, aud replaced by ono in which fcir John Hall was Prime Minister. Mr Ballauce was then out of office till he joined tho administration, formed by (Sir Julius Vogcl aud bir Robert Stout. In it ho was Ministor of Lauda, and Nativo Miuistor. Tho Government lasted for nearly three years, and he waa again out of office for about the samo time, till after the general election near the cud of 181)0, when, his party having sceurocyi niaj\ my, ho was selected as the fittest man to loud it and take tho Premiership. 'J ho events of the last two aud a-hulf years aro fresh in everyboJy's memory. Much bus been done and attempted regarding tho wisdom of which there aro decided differences of opinion, and of which it is unnecessary to write at present. It is enough to nay that even his political opponents gave Mr Ballance credit for honesty of inteutiou, aud no ono could deuy his industry, ability, and tact. His loss is a severe ono to his party from a political point of view, aud from all J -jarts of the islands there will bo uo voice but thnrb of respectful mourning. Mr Ballauco wag born on March 27, ly'ji), was over twenty six years of age when he arrived iv New Zealand, was about thirty cix when he entered Parliament, aud at the time of his death fifty four yearß aud one month.