DEATH OF MR. W. H. LEVIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9307, 16 September 1893, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. W. H. LEVIN.

[by TELEGRAPH.press ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. Mr. W. H. Levin, of Levin and Co., one of the most prominenb men in Wellington, died this morning from hemorrhage of the brain, accompanied by pleurisy. He had been ill for some days, bub nothing serious was expected till the attack took a sharp turn yesterday. Five doctors were in attendance ab the last, bub their efforts were unavailing. Flags in the city are at half-mast, and a number of business places closod immediately the news became known. Mr. Levin had been a member of Parliament, and the Public Library here is due to his initiative and generosity. He carried on an extensive commercial and general merchant's business, which he took over from his father, in company with Mr. Pierce, who is now in England, and Mr. Duncan, ab presenb in Wellington. The stylo of tho firm was W. H. Levin and Co., also agents for the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company in New Zealand. The deceased returned from a visit to London in December last. He was married to Miss Fitzgerald. Mr. Levin was noted for his generosity as well as his popularity, and amongst other liberal donations he gave £1000 towards establishing the Free Public Library at Wellington. Universal regret is expressed at his death. His demise is the solo topic in the city. To-night tho City Council at once adjourned out of respect to the memory of the deceased, after passing a motion expressing condolence with the widow. The funeral takes place on Sunday afternoon, and is expected to bo tho largosb ever seen here. [by telegraph.—special correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. A Minister of the Crown told me to-day, thatjthe lasb meeting at the Parliamentary Buildings with the late Mr. Levin was some ten days ago, when at considerable personal inconvenience ho had come to Parliament in quesb of the Minister, to aid him in devising some acceptable form of aid to tho widow of a deceased member of the House of Representatives. [by TELEGRAPH. association.] Wellington, Friday. On the House of Representatives meeting at half-past two this afternoon, after formal business was concluded, Mr. Seddon roso and said he desired to anuounco to tho House the sudden and unexpected death of William Hart Levin, who had been called away that morning. As a former member of the House, Mr. Levin was well known, and always highly respected. He had also the confidence of the representatives of every shade of public opinion, and was an example which they might all well follow. Mr. Levin's loss to the colony was very great, and to Wellington it was almost irreparable. The deceased gentleman was a public benefactor in every sense of the word, and ho had removed a reproach that for a long time had attached to the city of Wellington by initiating and completing a Free Public Library in the city. That work alone Would keep his memory green in Wellington, and he (Mr. Seddon) had only recently been with Mr. Levin ab the opening of tho Wellington Working Men's Club, an institution in which the deceased gentlemen had always taken the greatost interest. He was, in fact, associated with every good work that was for the benefit of his fellow-men, and was loved and respected in the colony far and wide. He (Mr. Seddon) thought it would somewhab soften the terrible blow which those who were dear to Mr. Levin had received if the House endeavoured to recognise his many estimable qualities by adjourning, as a mark of respect to the deceased gentleman. He therefore proposed "That the House do now adjourn till 7.30 p.m." Mr. Rolleston seconded the motion. He said he knew New Zealand had lost one of hor best sons by Mr. Levin's death—one who, when a member of the House, had earned the esteem and confidence of all sjdes. His personal qualities and fairness of mind had also secured for him the respect of all his fellow-members. He carried out the same qualities in every walk of life ; and by Mr. Levin's death Wellington had lost one of her best and most prominent citizens. The deceased gentlman had done everything in his power to promote the welfare of tho people amongst whom he. lived. He never turned his face away from those who needed assistance and counsel. His public acts were always guided by the highest motives, and hundreds of people would deplore his untimely end. His memory would always be cherished with respect, gratitude, and affection. Mr. Fisher said he desired to thank tho Premier for the motion he had proposed. It was a tribute of respect for one who was held in the highest estimation, nob only in Wellington but throughout the colony. There had nover been a man in Wellington who had donesomuch for thecity; and it was a creditable thing for the Premier to ask the House to adjourn in memory of so worthy a man as Mr. Levin. He was a citizen and philanthropist in the truest sense of the word. He (Mr. Fisher) had worked with Mr. Levin for many years in Wellington, and there was no man better qualified than ho himself was to speak of that gentleman. He knew that Mr. Levin was very ready to assist any cases of distress, and his many acts of kindness should keephim in respectful memory for many years to come. Mr. Duthie also thanked the Premier for the motion to adjourn the House. Mr. Levin was in the truest sense a Now Zealander, although Wellington was his native place. Ho was a most worthy citizen, and had the largest sympathy with all classos of the community, and his liberality exceeded that of any man he knew of in tho colony. Mr. Levin's loss would be very great indeed, and the deepest sympathy would be felb for his widow and young family. Mr. McLean, on behalf of the working men of Wellington, said the city could illspare a man of Mr. Levin's stamp, and ho had remarked to another member only yesterday, that no man in Wellington would have received a larger share of support than Mr. Levin if he stood ab the coming election. He felt that Mr. Levin would be more missed than any other man in Wellington, and his good works would follow him. Dr. Newman also bore testimony to the many estimable qualities of the deceased gentleman. He said there was no man in New Zealand who had shown such princely generosity, or had done so much to benefit his fellow-men. He also possessed such genuine kindness of heart that any man who approached him felt he had a friend in him. He had also shown a high standard of commercial morality. The whole concern of his life was to show kindness to those who needed it, and his loss would be very deeply felt. Mr. Buchanan also thanked the Premier for proposing the motion. He felt that Mr. Levin was a colonist of whom ib might well be said that no man had shown so many acts of kindness, or was more entitled to the respect of the community. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose. Napier, Friday. Flags were hoisted at half-mast to-day ab the port when the news of the death of Mr. Levin was received. Deep regret is expressed in all circles. Ckristchukch, Friday. The flags at the shipping offices at Christchurch, and on the vessels in the port of Lyttelton, were flying half-mast to-day as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr. Levin.

As soon as the intimation was received in Auckland of the death of Mr. Levin the flags on the steamers of the Northern S.S. Company, and the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's ship Westland, were placed ab half-mast, the deceased gentleman having been agent for these two companies ab Wellington.

The recently-imported English mallard ducks at tho Masterton Aviary are in excellent condition. Sittings of eges are being senb bo settlers around Lake Wairarapa and other parts of the district, and in the near future these pretty birds should be fairly plentiful. The new remedy, Electric Blood Renewer, is daily proving its superiority. As a blood purifier it is ahead of all others. As a tonic it is simply incomparable. As a cure for rheumatism, sciatica, and gout, it is the best. Don't take any other. McGlashan and Co., Albert-street, sole proprietors and manufacturers. 3a 6a, all chemists.