AN OLD COLONIST'S GRAVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 13

AN OLD COLONIST'S GRAVE

Sir, —In walking through tho Symonds Street Cemetery lately I came across the grave of ono of our most beloved and respected old colonists in a deplorable condition. It is that of tho late Mr. John Williamson, who was elected five times Superintendent of tho Province of Auckland (25 years in all). Also, ho was member of the General Assembly (Parliament) from 1856 till the time of his death in 1875. Let mo quote from tho Nn\v ZEALAND HERALD of February 17, 1875, with regard to his funeral: "The Executive have resolved that the funeral of tho late Mr. Williamson shall be conducted by the Provincial Government as a mark of respect for his high character and the services be has rendered to the province and to the colonj - during a long and active career. In this they have correctly gauged the public sentiment and their resolve will meet with unanimous approval. If disinterestedness, generosity and unswerving devotion to tho public weal are deserving of public recognition, by no man is it more merited than by him whose remains will be deposited in their last earthly home next Saturday with such poor pomp and circumstance as it is in tho power of the province to bestow." As Mr. Williamson's sons and daughters are all dead, and there is no ono to care for his grave, surely it is only necessary for this to bo brought to the notice of the Government or tho City Council to have the grave done up and cared for as it should be. In a few years all who knew him will have passed away and there will be.no ono to remember. While we may we must not forget those who have done so much for Auckland in the early days. Anothkr Old Colonist.