AT WANGANUI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 48 (Supplement)

AT WANGANUI.

(BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) A GRIEF-STRICKEN CSTY. In ordiuary times Wanganul is on a Saturday a cheering enough place, busy with the small commerce of the settlers around, and at the fine main thoroughfare, Victoria Avenue, is thronged with pedestrians, whoso smiling faces and general mien, be. token satisfaction with life as a whole, and with their immediate surroundini; a in particular. But the shadows of the lamented event of Thursday have fallen full heavily over the pretty little town which John Ballance loved so well, which he served so well and faithfully, and to which his death comes as a heavy personal loss. There was an air of general gloom over the place on Saturday, an atmosphere of deep depression, of genuine sorrow. The citizens stood in groups up and down the streets r-nd talked of but one subject, the death of John Ballance—not so much the death of the Premier, as the death of one who was a fellow-citizen, the best years of whose life had been devoted to the town, and whose loss must by all VVanganui people be considered well nigh irreparable. It was notioeable, too, that

political opponents vied with political supporters in paying tribute to the zeal of the departed statesman in everything which concerned the welfare of the district;. Whore older men were gathered together thero was mnoh talk of the good old days, when Puheii Tito.the terrible Titokowaru—to give him his full name—was threatening the lives and property of the West Coast settlers, much talk of the coastal campaign and of those vigorous criticisms which Mr Ballance used to write in his paper, the Herald. Others recalled local struggles of celebrity, bygone fights for muoh-needed local reforms. Others again recalled famous election con-

tests and the names of Willie Wattß, of Sir William Fox of George Hutchison of Gilbert Carson and others cropped up. But whatever tho conversation started, whether on political, civil, masonic, or journalistic affairs, the result was always the same—a sure and steady drifting into a general and unequalified eulogium of the dead stateman's personal integrity, hones! 1 , manly independence of thought and aotion, unfailing courtesy and heartfelt desire to use those abilities with which he was liberally endowed to'tha very beat advantage of his fellow-citizens and of the Colony as a whole. Especially notioe ■ ablo was the sorrow of the working classes of the town. Wherever they met together the one and only opinion expressed was that in John Ballance the toilers and moilers—the masses—have lost a sincere friend, who loft no stone unturned to further their interests when compatible with the wider and general Interests of the Colony as a whole. Personal kindnesses were not forgotten—an old soldier's caße looked up and brought before the proper authorities, kindly words spoken to many in their time of eorrow, and mora practical, tangible charities of mind and pocket—instances of these were quoted without end. As the hour grew later and the crowd on tho avenue grew smaller, great anxiety was expressed as to the weather, which bore a very threatening aspect. The evening train brought in a goodly number of visitors —memberß of Parliament, oountry settlers and others, including several journalists, SDKDAY MORNING. Although as tho day broke the sky was gloomy and the air close and heavy, as if

I presaging a thunderstorm, no rain fell, and long before noon the tun was out and the weather left little to be deeired, except for' a feeling of oppressive closeness. Leading settlers In the neighbourhood kept arriving in traps and on horseback, end it was noticeable, so I bear, that the attendance »t the local churches was far above the average. The committee charged with the conduct of tho funeral arrangements were hard at work all the morning and it is owing to tho untiring endeavours of these gentlemen, more especially | Mr A. J. Parsons, ex Mayor of Wanganui, / I and one of Mr Balance's stauncheet pergonal i friends and supporters, that the arc rangements proved so completely satisfactory. Mr Parsons was Mr B-illance'a nearest neighbour on St John's Hill, and he speaks in feeling terms of the many instances of the late Premier's personal kindness, and of the genial intimaoy which existed between them. Other gentlemen/ who were specially aotive on Saturday and'; Sunday morning were the popular Mayor of'] Wanganui (Mr Freeman Jackson), Mr T. Cummins, well-known throughout the : Colony in connection with Fire Brigade work ; Mr James Duigan, the editor of the Wanganul Herald, and Mr , A. D. Willis, Mr Ballance's first part« I ner in the Herald, and his most sturdy and staunch local political adherent. Mr Parsons, however, had tho management of the arrangements, and it was ro ,' this gentleman's energy and remarkable ' talent for organisation that the ceremonies were got through within the sparse time at j disposal between the arrival and departure of the trains, / NORTHERN VISITORS. j The Toranaki, Hawera and Patea trains, were the first in arriving about half-1 past 1, bringing, amongst other visitors, ; two of the new Legislative Councillors i —tho Hons Jennings and MoCullough and Mr T, Thompson, who had arrived in j New Plymouth on Saturday by tho e.s. Glenelg. Many other Aucklanders were expeoted, but it is understood that the s.s. Takapuna did not arrive in time for the tiain. A noticeable TaranakUn was Dr O'Carroll, senior medical military ofßoer of New Plymouth, who appeared id full uniform, bearing soveral medals. Dr f O'Carrotl attended the late Premier in the j Initial stages of his illness, when Mr Bal- J lance made a short journey to Now PIy«! mouth in the hope of regaining strength. 1 Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R, from New Plymouth, arrived on Saturday night, and [ Mr Bellringer, Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr C. E. Major, Mayor of Hawera, and Mr ! W. Cowern, Mayor of Patea, also were present at tho funeral. The attendance of notables from Taranaki would have beeu | large had it not been that the pretty little town under the shade of Egmont was to- ! day mourning the death of a well-known local! citizen, Mr King, chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board. The funeral of ' this gentleman taking place to-day also pre- , vented the New Plymouth Masons from | attending. Many prominent settlers all along the Coast to the north of Wanganui j wero present, amongst others whom we notloed being Messrs B. Stook, J.P., "New . Plymouth; J. Davidson, J.P., Hawera; William Handley, MaxwelHown; Charles Durle and Charles Brewer, Waitotara ; W. Symes, Waverley ; H. Dean, of Patea ; and E. G. Allworth, Pyemont, Waitotara. Tho Palmerston train, bringing the Hawke's Bay ! contingent, arrived at about a quarter to 2, and brought quite 300 passengers from Hawke'a Bay, Palmerston and the various townships in the Manawatu and Bangitikei districts. Mr W. C. Smith, M.H.R., whoße name is identified with Liberalism in Hawke'a Bay, arrived by this train, and I noticed also among other leading Liberals from Napier, Hastings, Danevirke and Woodvllle, Mr H. P. Cohen and Mr S. Carnell, representing the Liberal Party in Napier, and Mr J. Horneby, editor of the Napier Liberal organ, and representing also the Knights of Labour; Dr Von Mirbach and Mr S. Johnson, Waipawa ; Mr A. Maokay, Mayor of Danevirko ; and Mr H. H. Bridge, of Knataniwha. Out side the station the local portion of the funeral was being marshalled in order, and care was taken to have everything in readiness, bo that no time would be lose in starting as soon as possible after the arrival of the Wellington trains. ARRIVAL OF THE WELLINGTON TRAINS. The Wellington trains, which wero corm bioed at Aramoho junction, arrived at 10 minutes to 3. By this time the number of spectators assembled along Taupo quay and the lower part of Victoria Avenue could not have been much less than 2000; but the polioe, under Inspector Thomsoo, had not the slightest difficulty in keeping the cortege clear, and the coffin, was taken from the train and placed on the gun carriage with no perceptible delay, the distinguished mourners who had come by the train promptly taking up their allotted plaoes in the sad prooeatiiun. THE WREATHS. Owing to the immense number of wreaths which had been sent from all parts of the Colony, Mr T. Cummings, secretary of the Fire Brigade, had conceived the happy Idea of displaying a number of them on the hook and ladder carriage, which immediately followed the gun carriage, upon whioh the coffin was placed. Many of the wreathsH sent wero most tasteful in design, and the H wealth of floral emblems at the grave after■ tho funeral Jwas over was tho subject of■ great comment. Amongst others, wreaths ■ were sent.ftin addition to thoße detailed™ elsewhere, by the Wanganui Chronicle, ■ the Wanganui Herald, tho Poßt and Tele-J graph Departments of Wellington andß VVanganui, the Wanganui College, the Wel-H lington Liberals, the High School and otherH Bchools, the Grand Lodge of New Zealandß Masons and other Masonic Lodges, Auckland, Wanganui and other Fire Bri-H gades, the Alexandra and Wanganui™ Cavalry, and from scores of others. Alto-B gether the wreaths numbered over 150. H THE CORTEGE. H The funeral prooeesion got under wayM about five minutes paet 3, and began to pasn the poet office a few minutes lateral wending its way slowly up Victoria until Guyton street was reached, when !■

proaeeded along that thoroughfare to thr main entrance to the cemetery, just inside the gates of which the remains of the people'* Premier were to find their last earthly rest ing place. At the head of the cortege were two mounted constables, followed by the firing party, composed as follows :—Wanganui Collegiate School Cadets, Albert Bides, Wanganni Rifles, Wanganui Naval Artillery, Permanent Artillery (under Major Messenger and Lieutenant Hume), the Garrison Band (playing Beethoven's Funeral March), the offioersof the various corps following, with Colonel Fox, as senior officer, bringing up the rear in accordance with the rule which prevails at Military funerals. Next followed the town band and the Otaki Maori Brass Band, the members of whioh wore white feathera in their hats. The enthusiasm for the oause of Freemasonry always shown by the late Premier, and the warmth of fraternal feeling entertained for him by the local members of the oraft had, no doubt, muoh to do with the very large attendanoe of Freemasons, the looal lodges being fully represented ; especially Lodge St Andrew, Kilwinning, New Zealand Constitution, No. 79, of which Mrßallanoewasatone time Worshipful Master, and the lodges at Danedin, Christohurch, Wellington, Auck. land, Feilding, Marton, Palmerston, Waipawa, Dauevirke, Hastings, Napier and other centres being also represented. The local Masonic arrangements were ably carried nut by Bros J. L. Stevenson, J. Keesing, W. Hughes and others. Amongst the Welling' ton brethren present I notioed Bro E. T. Gillon, of the Evening Post, who I understand also attended the oeremony in his capacity of President of the .New Zealand Journalists' Institute. Immediately following the Freemasons was the gun oarriage, with its mournful freight. The pall bearers were the Hons J. Maokenzie, W. P. Beeves, J. Carroll. R. J. Seddon, J. G. Ward, Sir P. A. Buckley and A. J. Cadman. Immediately following were some of the chief mourners: Sir Robert Stoat, evidently deeply moved, Mr John Notman, for some time editor of the Herald and an old partner with Mr Ballanoe, Mr A. D. Willis, also an ex' partner and joint founder of the Herald, and others. Mrs Ballance was accompanied by Mrs For man, Miss Griffiths, .Lady Buckley, and Mrs W. P. Beeves and Borne relatives. Mr MoKnight (a nephew of i the late Mr Ballance), Messrs H. S. Taylor and B. T. Taylor, brothers of Mr Ballanoe'a first wife, also were present. His Excellency the Governor was represented by Mr Clayton, aide-de-camp, and Captain Huncer-Blair. There were also present— The Speaker (Major Steward), Judges Don. niston and Dudley Ward, and leading mem. bers of legal profession in Wanganui and along the Coast. The foreign consuls followed—Mr F. A. Krull, formerly a well'known figure in Wellington, but now a partner in the firm of Freeman B. Jaokson and Co., wore his uniform as German Consul, Mr Charles Johnson, of Wellington, the Belgian Consul was represented by Mr H. J. Tilly, Mr George Fisher, M.H.E., was preaent as Italian Consul. The following members of the Legislative Council followed—The Hons. Bigg, Jennings, Jen. kinsor, Shrlmski, W. 0. Walker, E. Richardson, MoCnlloch, and Kelly, and great interest attached to the presence of the Hons. Jennings, MoCulloohand Rigg, in that they are among the new members of the Council. The following representatives of the Native race were present—Major Kemp, Takarangi, Metl Kingi, Hai Mona, Teaterangl, Porokora, Patapu, Te Rete, Wairania And others, Many members

if the Lower House had wired their regrets at not being able to attend, iwing to various oauses, but there were, nevertheless, a goodly number preamongst whom were Messrs G. H. Swan, Dawson, Earnshaw, J. Duthie, J. G. Wilson, W. C. Smith, E. M. Smith, George Hutchison, W. Kelly, W. L. Bees, Hogg, Tanner, F. McGuire and others. The Mayor (Mr F. R. Jaokeon) and Councillors of Wanganui came next, followed by the members of the Harbour Board (chairman, Mr Thos. Thatcher) and River Trust Board (ohairman, Mr J, Stewart, C.E ). Next in the procession were the members of the Wanganui Herald staff, Including Mr Jaa. Duigan, editor, Mr W. R, Comyns, sub-editor, Mr J. J. Boyle, manager, and Mr Gower, foreman. Messrs Boyle and Gower,: who have been employed under Mr Ballanoe for over 20 years, only express the sentiments of all who have served under Mr Ballance when they say that no better, kinder, more considerate master could be imagined. Mr Ballanoe'a death—a loss to the Colony as a whole—is almost a disaster for the paper with which his name has long been so honourably connected. Speaking of the Herald reminds me that journalism is very well represented here to-day. I notioe, taking part in the ceremony, Messrs E. T. Gillon (Evening Post), B. A. Liughnan (Sew Zealand -Times), J. A. Wilkinson (Marlborough Express, an old Herald press man, J. Hornsby (Napier News), J. Wiokham (Auckland Weekly News), C. Wilson (New Zealand Times and Maig, an ex-contributor to the Herald), Andrews (Rangitikei Advocate), MoKenzte (Evening Press), Haddows (Wanganui Chronicle), and several others. Amongst the ranks of New Zealand journalists the name of John Ballance will always be revered as that of an able, even brilliant, journalist, eager t) redress a wrong, ardent in the exposure of publio evil-doing, a gonerous foe, a warm

friend, and the keenest regret for his end will be felt by those who are members of the profession of which he was so brilliant a chief.

The Civil Service was well represented, not only by tho heads of departments from Wellington, but by gentlemen sent from other districts to publicly testify the grief felt by the members of the Se r vice at tho death of the Premier. It is needless, however, for mo to give a list of those who attended. Suffice it to say that the Civil Service was thoroughly well represented, and that throughout the day Mr Ballance was spoken of as one who was always ready and willing to hear the exposition of a grievance, to redress an injustice, and to enter fully into any question whioh affected the welfare of that Service upon whioh Ministers have necessarily so much to depend. Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the oortege was tho presence of so large a number of the late Premier's old comrades in the stormy days of '6B and '69, when Titokowaru threatened the lives and properties of the Bottlers and the editor of the Wanganui Herald was out in the field doing his duty manfully against the foe. It may be mentioned that the late Premier was the actual founder of the Wanganui Cavalry Volunteers. In October, 1868, Mr Ballance held a oornet's commission in the corps, and was present in several engagements with his troop. Whilst courageous in the field and au un» compromising disciplinarian, Mr Ballance is still remembered by his old comrades ns one who could take an interest in the occasional generalities of camp life, and to-day bis fellow-soldiers eoho, even more loudly than others, the general sorrow. A list of those present to-day, and who were with Mr Ballanoe in the cavalry, should be interesting as a record, and I have to thank Mr T. D. Cummlngs for his courtesy in obtaining the desired information. Mr Balance's surviving old oomrades of camp

and field present to»day were:—Cornet R, Hair, Troop Sergeant-Major T. D. Cummings, Corporals A Nathan and J. W. Armstrong, Troopers S. G. Lynoh, G. Mailman, E. MoLean, G. Gordon, George Boss, W. Armstrong, George Small. J. Cathro, G. 1 McCaul, T. Armstrong, S. S. Mazy, S. Vincent, T. Drummond, H. Crawley, T. Connell, S. Watt, F. Potto, T. Rowe, Jas. Hindley, Thomaß Handley, S. Stowers, J. S. Russell, and D. Llnd. The members of the looal Fire Brigade and Foresters' Friendly Sooiety, in both of whioh the late Premier took a very aotive interest, followed ; then the old cavalrymen, and they were followed by the railway employees, of whom there were a large number present, The last item on the printed programme was the general publio, and under this head I might write fully a oolumn of matter. The funeral was, as regards the attendanoe of all sorts and conditions of men, the most noteworthy whioh has ever taken place in Wanganui. Settlers from all along the coast, from Foxton to New Plymouth, testified by their presence their respect for the late Premier, and general pleasure was expressed at the fact that the number of Mr Ballance's political opponents who attended was so great. Jot. ting down a few names I find the Hon John Bryce (whose face recalls the famous battle of the two B's against the redoubtable Fox), John Stevens.the popular Bangitikei Bettler, who is to be a candidate at the general eleotion, Mr Donald Fraser, Dr Connolly, Messrs Bell, Saunders and Innes, Dr Skerman, Messrs Gibbons and Esam, Marton, and representative settlers from Hunterville, Feilding, Balls and other townships, besides practically every leading Wanganui citizen not inoluded in the various military and other organisations noted above. The procession was more than half a mile In length and was composed of from 1200 to 1500 persons, the assemblage generally in Victoria Avenue being estimated at from 2500 to 3000. All

along the line of route blinds were carefully drawn and flags hoisted half-mast high. But there has been, I understand, some comment during the day upon the fact that at Sandridge Hall, the residence of the late Mr W. H. Watt. Mr Ballance's old political opponent, no flag was hoisted. The advanoe guard of the cortege entered the cemetery gates shortly before 4, and the melancholy oeremony had to be commenced before the whole of the Volunteers were in position. THE LAST RESTING-PLACE. The grave, wherein shall rest the remains of the dead statesman, is situated just within the main entrance to the oemetery. It is a picturesque spot, with fine pine trees at the back, on a rise shading the sandy soil in whioh the grave is made. The sun was shiningbrightly when the cortdgereached tho oemetery, and with the bright sunshine the ordinarily sombre surroundings were muoh relieved. There was life all round, life in the orowd, life in the beautiful trees, life in the shrubs and flowers, life in everything, save, alas! that flower • bedeoked ooffio, wherein was encased the perishable frame of the dead statesman, whose fame will not perish for many a year, although many of those around his body today shall have been forgotten, and the tall pine, the sturdy shrub and the fragrant flower have drooped, decayed and been gone forever. The dead statesman lies, and it is well and fitting that he should lie, in his last earthly resting-place 'neath the pine trees he loved so well, THE SCENE AT THE GRAVE. But the Masonio marshals are around the grave, the reporters are found in place, the tiring party are aU drawn up, the relatives come behind the grave, the political com. rades are ranged iu front. There is no time to lose, the oeremony begins, Laudably dear is the enunciation of the Bev A. Williams, a Mason himself; beautifully touching are the words of the Masonio service. At the back of the grave, on a seat conveniently plaoed, sat the widow and her two sisters—Mrs S. 8. Griffiths and Mrs S. Foreman, whilst beside her stood two ladies who for long have been her true and constant friends—Lady Buckley and Mrs W. P. Beeves. Standing behind were Mrs Ballance's two brothers, the Messrs Anderson, her brothers-in-law, Messrß S. S. Griffiths and S. Foreman, and Mr T. McKnight, the late Premier's nephew, whose striking facial resemblance to the late Premier was muoh remarked upon, and Messrs W. T. Taylor and H. F. Taylor, brothers of Mr Ballance's first wife. It is not for the newspaper writer to attempt to analyse the Intensity of the grief and sorrow which filled the heart of the widow in this, to her, most terrible and trying situation, but if ever grief poraonified,sorrow inextinguishable, and woo unutterable were, expressed on a human face they were expressed on the face of that poor lady who sat there watching the last scene of all in the eventful history of her revered husband. She may, however, find some slight con' eolation in this, the time of her greatest life sorrow, in knowing that the heart of the {Nation went out to her yesterday in one great universal feeling of sympathy. May Heaven send her peace and fortitude to bear her very heavy burden. Such is the wish to-day of Wanganui and of the whole Colony, I make no doubt. There is another figure that deserves notioe. Close to the relatives stands Sir Bobert Stout, for bo many years the personal friend, the trusted admirer and the hearty co'operator in all publio matters. There is honour to this man in the tears, honest manly tears, this strong man sheds to«day—honour to the dead and honour to the living. The grief of suoh awes the onlookers. It is the great topic of conversation after the funeral. Of it and of him no more here, save to say that Sir Eobert'a name is to day iu many mouths; and there is much talk of the political future.

The oeremony proceeds with good dei spatoh, necessarily, for the time is brief, but still with great dignity. A portion of the beautiful Masonio service is read by the Bev Bro. Williams, and a hymn, 'Solemn Strikes the Funeral Chime,' is sung. Then the body ia lowered by the four Past Masters of Lodge St Andrews, Kilwinning, Bros S. tialek, Keeßing, Spurdle and Hughes, with solemn appropriate words. An address, taken from the beautiful Masonic ritual, is read by the Chaplin, Bro the Bev A. Williams, afterwards Bro P.M. J. L. Stevenson gives a short address ; and the Masonio honours to the dead are given, the brethren all repeating after the Master the words„ • We cherish his memory here, we oommenrl

his spirit to God who gave it, wo commend hisbody to the grave. Friend of oarhearta, may you rest in peace (here all the hands are uplifted to Heaven) by our Grand Master's word !' followed by 'Mayeat thou have thfi blessings of immortal life and unfading glory/ and the Master solemly says : ' Alas, my brother, and now friend and brother, farewell !' And the lambskin, the Mascnio emblem of expiation, is cast into the grave. Following this are volleys by thn tiring party, the casting of acacia branches into the grave by the brethren, and another hymn—that surely most beautiful of hymns ' Days and moments quickly flying.' The last verse—- ' As the tree falls so must it lie, As the man lives so wi!l he die, As the man dies such must he be All through the days of Eternity,' —move d many of those near to the grave to illconcealed tears. The strong figure of Sir Robert Stout quivers with omotion. But the import of the last words of the hymn is beautifully appropriate—'As the man liveß so will he die.' As John Ballance, the honest patriot, lived, so he died—honest patriotic, self-sacrificing to the last. With the and the filing past the grave of the brethren who throw in a sprig of acacia, emblem of immortality, the function ends. Tho wreaths are brought in and thrown around the grave, tho mourners slowly and sadly depart, and all that is connected with the last and saddest scene in the life's history of John Ballance is over. The nun is drooping in the heavons above, the tall pines look mora sombre than ever, and tho place is speedily deserted. AFTER THE CEREMONY, The final scene at the cemetery had net concluded much before 5 o'clock, and thoße fioin distant patts had but little time to spare to catch their trains. Naturally there is much discussion as to who shall succeed Mr Ballance as Premier, and on politioal quostioas gonerally. News from the seat of the Government will be eagerly awaited. The trains to Wellington and Tarauaki were despatched with hardly any delay, and the visitors by road left town during the evening. At all the various churches in Wanganui yesterday sympathetic reference was made to the Premier's death, one of tho most notable utterances being that of the Rev Father Kirk, who deolared that the Cctholios of the Colony had lost one of their truest friends and the Colony as a whole one of its most patriotio and able statesmen. I should like to add that great credit should be given to the looel railway authorities, especially Mr Marcus, the stationmaster. for the able way in which the heavy traffic was managed, everything going off very smoothly. The police arrangements, under Inspector Thomson, left nothing to be desired. I have to thank Mr McCarthy, of the Rutland Hotel, for the facilities kindly given the Times representative for properly viewing tho procession, and also to Messrs Duigan and Comyns, editor and subeditor of the Wanganui Herald, for the use of their rooms and for much valuable information, MIDNIGHT. As I send this last message, writing at thn Herald office, the Natives encamped on the river banks can be heard wailing their songs of grief over the man whom they looked upon as a true friend, THE LAST OF A SOLEMN DAY. The melanoholy duty over, the troops marched back to the station, the crowd dispersed, the trains filled up and departed, On arrival of the Government train at 12.55, tho Defence Minister called the oommanding officers together on the platform, congratulated them on the admirable manner in which the military arrangements had been made, thanked them on behalf of the Government, and begged them to oonvey to their men the thanks of the Government for their fine behaviour throughout.ooncluding his]address with a hope that such a painful duty might never devolve on them again. In that hope the country will cordially join.