THE BALLANCE STATUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10411, 8 April 1897, Page 5

THE BALLANCE STATUE.

UNVEILING CEREMONY.

SPEECHES BY THE PREMIER AND

SPEAKER.

[by telegraph.— association.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The ceremony of unveiling the statue erected on the lawn in the Parliamentary grounds to the memory of the late Hon. John Ballance, who died while holding the position of Premier of the Colony, was performed by the Bon. R. J. Seddon, Premier, this afternoon. All the members of the Government were present, and most of the members of the Legislature, and a large gathering of the general' public. The cordon of the Permanent Artillery was placed round the immediate vicinity of the statue, and inside, those most closely connected with the ceremony were permitted to enter. The statue, which has already been described, was enshrouded in a maroon overhaul.

Punctually at half-past one, the Premier, accompanied by the members of the Ballance Memorial Committee, entered the grounds from the main entrance of Parliamentary Buildings, and from tho base of the monument Mr. Allan Ward, chairman of committee, addressed tho assemblage, stating that they were there to do honour to one »|,£i)o best and greatest statesmen the colony had seen. The deceased statesman, he said, was fearless, as for instance in the new policy which he had evolved, and which had been of so great importance to the workers. All legislation under tho Ballance administration was up to date, and the speaker believed there was no more popular man in the colony at his death than John Ballance. The good work he had done would, in Mr. Ward's opinion, live longer in the memory of the colonists than tho erection of the statue which they wore unveiling. He road a letter from Mrs. Ballance regretting she was unable to be present, but thanking every woman, man, and child who had borno testimony to her husband's work, and declaring her appreciation of their kindness and sympathy. A letter was also read from Captain Russell regretting that business arrangements prevented his attendance. A congratulatory message from the Auckland Knights of Labour was read. Mr. Ward, continuing, said the amount subscribed was £571, and that a further sum of £50 would be requirod to cover the total cost. He then asked the Premier to unveil the statuo.

Mr. Seddon, in opening, said that among the large concourse of people he recognised a rotative of the late Mr. Ballanco, and lie culled on him to place on the base of the monument a wreath (which was done). Then proceeding Mr. Seddon said he hoped that this would not be the lust occasion on which the people of the colony would show their appreciation of their good and true friends. During his tour through thoothor colonies he had found statues erected there to their leading citizens, soldiers, and pioneers ; but in New Zealand he found there were no statues raised to its leading men, This was almost a reproach. 'In the troubles of the past, our soldiers had fallen nobly, and members of the native race had also fallen, fighting for our land, but we had not fittingly commemorated the memory of those men, and there had been no greater opportunities for commemoration than in this colony. Mr. Seddon paid a tribute to the workers in the colony for their share in the memorial, pointing out that the movement was begun by the Trade and Labour Councils, and remarking that even the widow'smitehad helped to'swell thosurn subscribed. The late John Ballanco was an Irishman, and in him and his life they had amply proved that the race to which lie belonged were eminently fitted to become statesmen, legislators, or citizens, and it was great credit to that country to find the work of her sons appreciated and commemorated as it was that day. For many years he possessed the friendship of the late John Ballance, and to Mr. Ballance's last hour, even until the moment of his death, bo and his colleagues had his entire confidence. -minded, straightforward, unassuming, of great ability, generous to a fault, he never allowed principle to be departed from. They were there to mourn his joes, and fool sympathy with the Bereaved ones, especially the noble wife who holpod and assisted her good hnsband in the work he was carrying on for the good of our country and its people. He regretted Mrs. Ballanco could not attend that day, but they knew the pain an occasion of that kind mast cause. The statue he was about to unveil was that of a good friend, a great man, a fond husband, a leader of men, and one beloved of his fellows. Mr. Seddon referred to what Mr. Ballance had done for the West Coast and Wunganui, which he said the people codld nover repay, and also spoke of the judicious legislation of which he was the author, particularly that relating to the native race, which was wise and beneficent, and had put an end for ever to the repetitions of early strife without force of arms or loss of blood. The work of -Mr, Ballance would live long after him, and his memory would ever be kept green. As they entered the precincts of Parliament House, us they passed by along the street, and even after those present had passed away, the statue would remind them of the man. They would say, as be now said, "We shall not look upon his like again." He had no hesitation in saying that Mr. Ballance sacrificed his life for the good of the people, and he having sacrificed that valuable life in the cause of progress, they as progressive people appreciated his service, and would ever fondly think of his memory. Mr. Ballance's task was for beneficent legislation, and to administer so that he would do the greatest goad for the greatest number. The Premier then unveiled the statue, and said that he thought the present was a fitting occasion to call on Sir Maurice O'Rorke to speak a word or two. Sir Maurice O'Rorke said he had known the late Mr. Ballance from the day he entered yonder chamber where he won so much honour, He saw him a fortnight before he died, and when the hand of death was visibly upon him, and during his long acquaintance never a single rupture had occurred in their friendship. Ho was one of those who deplored his loss as a calamity to the colony. If his life had been spared the people of New Zealand, he was sure, would have kept him in the high office which he adorned. He regretted that time would not admit of his entering upon a history of the good deeds of his departed friend. The ceremony then ended.