THE SORROWING WIDOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 9903, 17 May 1893, Page 3

THE SORROWING WIDOW.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, The low wo have ao recently sustained in amply shown by the uuiveraal regret from one end of this Colony to the other, from other colonies and at Home. Wo oan without the risk of contradiction say that no man’s dspartnre in our time on our own shore has caused snob wide l spread and sincere regret. It was gratifying to hear at Friday's memorial meeting such genuine sympathy eipreeaed. The addresses of Mr Dutbie and Doctor Newman, two of the late Premier’s politioal foes, did them the greatest honour, and. if it Is possible, they have raised themselves in the estimation of the people ; they are made of that material which all thorough John Bolls ever admire. I well remember when the lamented John Ballanoeand John Dnthie pulled in the same politioal boat, but which became a wreck on some, to me, unknown rook, located in or near Wanganui. But it is extremely gratifying to see that the old friendship existed op to the last. Ihe present Premier’s address was touching, and last that which was expected. We ooujd all aee that he had' a difficult task to perform ; the warm feeling for hla departed colleague was made manifest to all observers. Hie references to the Borrowing widow did him great credit, and it is on account of this sorrowing lady that X venture to pen these remarks. "Whether her late has. band would have accepted a title or not had he been spared to guide the Ship of State on a long voyage we cannot say. My own opinion is that he would not. That is no reason why Her Most Gracious Majesty should not be advised to confer on the sorrowing widow some mark of her special favour for the services .rendered by him she is left to mourn. I feel confident that such a distinction woold be hailed with extreme satisfaction by all her subjects, not only on this side of the line, but by thousands in the land of the late Premier’s birtb. This generation of New Zealanders will entertain a very waim admlration for Mrs Ballance. Her devoted, ness to him now gone is well known. Had John Ballance lived on to, say, the allotted age. he would have soared high above WJ colonial itateiman of our

time. Hard-working, far • seeing, ever anxious to do that which he conceived to be of the greatest good to his fallow-man, the colonials will do something worthy of them, and it remains for our good Queen to do just one act to show ua that she appreciates, eveu in this distant land, real merit. If the services rendered by John Ballance do not justify the extension of the Royal favour to bia widow it will be difficult to conceive what one man i a expected to accomplish to enable such favours to be bestowed. This hint, I sincerely hope, will result in further action by those in whose bauds suoh matters rest, —I am, &c. , K, B.