THE LATE MR. GEORGE IRELAND, M.H.R.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 6067, 10 September 1880, Page 3

THE LATE MR. GEORGE IRELAND, M.H.R.

On the 15th ult.. about 6 30 a.m, the member for Wakaia, Mr. George Ireland, was suddenly called to his last account. He died at the residence of Mrs. George, Glenbervie-terrace, Tlnakori-road, after a sudden illness, which none who have known his sedulous attention to Parliamentary duties would have thought impending, except those who, intimately acquainted with him, knew the delicate state of his health, and how much he jeopardised by braving the untimely hours and long continuing worry enforced by the present conduct of affairs in the House. The deceased attended the sitting, as was his most faithful custom, on Thursday night. On Friday he was also in the library, but feeling unwell he went to consult Dr. Grace, who found him in a very weak state and affected with heart disease. He sent him home in a cab, and, telling him to keep in bed, visited him again in the evening, and twice Saturday, but found him gradually sinking. Ou Friday night he had dined with his old friend Mr, J. C. Brown, who was residing in the same house with him, but about 11 o'clock, shortly after retiring to bed, be was seized with a violent fit of coughing and effusion of blood, and the attack continued, with brief intermissions, until he died. The deceased was about 56 years of :»ge, and was a native of the North of Ireland, and of Scotch extraction. He had been for many years a gold miner, having worked at Gabriel a Gully in 1861, and thence went to the Dvmstau at the first rush to that famed locality, qpd worked on the banks of the Molyneux, sharing the varying fortunes of, the many others whose whole thoughts were centered on the rising and falling of that erratic stream.. Possibly ho was one among the multitude to whom it did not prove a Pactolus, for a year or two afterwards he was engaged as achoolmaster at Roxburgh* and bad to submit, as many other . Otago schoolmasters had la that day, to rough aud ready lodgment and primitive appliances for the work of educationist. He did good service, though, in this vocation, gained the name of being a man of sterling worth, well read, gentle in disposition, earnest in religious duties, conscientious to a fault, respected in private life, relied upon in all matters of public concern. After a while, the old spirit of adventure'waxing strong within him, he betook himself to digging once again, aud up to the time of his death held a claim in the Roxburgh district. He had been elected a member of the Provincial Council of Otago for Mount Benger district, and held that office until the abolition of provincial rule. Then came the election of a member of thi House of Representatives for the Wakaia Klectora.l District, and the runholding interest nominated Capt. McKenzie, of Tapanui, as their man. Against this the Roxburgh men protested. There was much hot disputation at that time about local rights of pasturage, and they put up Mr. George Ireland as their choice, found the money for the election campaign, and elected him in triumph at the head of the poll. He has been their representative in the Liberal interest ever since, and has most consistently and conscientiously performed his duties. The deceased leaves no relatives in the colony, but has, we believe, a daughter, aged about 20, residing in Kngland. He was a consistent member of the Wesleyan persuasion. His remains were taken on board the Government steamer Hinemoa on Monday, the 16th August, and forwarded to Lyttelton, from whence they were taken by rail to the nearest station to Roxburgh, where the deceased gentleman resided, in order to be interred 'at that place. A large number of members of the Legislature and others formed in procession, and followed the coffin across the reclaimed land to the Railway Wharf The House of Representatives met at 11 a.m., but adjourned till 7.30, in respect for the memory of the late member. AU the vessels in port had their flags half-mast daring the day.