DEATH OF MR TAYLOR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7864, 28 July 1911, Page 1

DEATH OF MR TAYLOR

I'UEBS ASSOCIATION. CIIIMSTCUUUCII. July 27. The deep tolling d’ the ( athcili'iil bell lute this aftfniiui.il proclaimed to a- wuldimed city that tin- cud had come, and that the Mayor. Mr T. E. Taylor, M.l’., hml passed away. Ills immediate illness dated from only a week ayo, but so serious was the disorde that death came with almost tragic utiai. iiuess. At ilrsL no serious consequences were anticipated, led, as the dais went by the bulletins issued became less and less of a reassuring nature, until dually it was amiouaeed that no hope ol recovery could lie la id out. Despite his bodily disorder Mr Taylor’s mind retained an extraordinary alertness, and even up lo yesterday moraine 1,0 was dictatin'; to a close friend final messages lo his constituents aiul others. On Wednesday Mr' Taylor passed a miiel nielli, but as the day advanced ho weakened ynaiimllv until at midday today lie lapsed into unconsciousness. Now and aKain lie brisbtened up. nun he spoke to his wife at about 3 .o'clock in the afternoon, flial beuii; his last conscious act. from thence loiv.a.-d ho seemed to Klumlr r, ami shortly idler a o clock he passed away. NATUUK Of THE ILLNESS. A short history of Sir Taylor’s illness was supplied officially 10-nipht by tho surL'ciins m attendance- Mr Taylor, it was stilted, suffered from chrome indigestion for many years, lie attended a public meeting on Wednesday evening of last week, and during ttio night was seized with abdominal pains. A consultation was held on Sunday, and it was then decided that an operation was necessary. It was found that there was long-stand-in" ulceration of tho stomach anil adjoining bowel, with a recent perforation at the ulcer in the stomach, and local peritonitis. It was hoped at first that the operation would prove successful, but on ’Wednesday serious symptoms arose, and an examination showed that nothing further could he done. Tho doctors and nurses m attendance were very much impressed with Mr Taylor's fortitude, his calmness, and his thoughtfulness for his family and others. FIXA.L INTERVIEW. What was practically the filial interview- between .Mr Taylor and Ids friends took place this morning at 10 o’clock. .Mr li. M- Isilt, who for many years was associated with Mr Taylor in tho prohibi-l-m ehmpaigu, and Air 11. Cole, one of Mr Taylor’s busineis partners, were summoned into Air Taylor’s room. Air Taylor, whoso illness had reduced him very much indeed, appeared to bo unconscious, hut when bo spoke. it was avident that his mind was working with Wine of its old vigour. Ho .asked his friends to lake down some farewell notes jmd messages to friends. In a message to tho Bov. John Dawson, general secretary of tho New Zealand Alliance, Air Taylor addressed tho following words:— "13U is our year of emancipation, if we jro true to God and our opportunities.” Turning then to Mr Cole, tho dying man said: "Cole, they call us fanatics, hut national prohibition is worth living Jor and worth dying for." A message for Labour was given to Air Tsitt’’lsitt, this a lovely country. Toll my Labour friends that they have n divine chance here, if they will only recognise the religious element amt lift tho movement to its highest plane.” There were other messages of a private nature, and the interview-, which had been an extremely affecting one to those engaged in it, terminated. Air Taylor spoke very little afterwards. The funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon and will ho a civic funeral. Tho body, which has now- been taken to Airs Tayor’s private house on the Cashmere Hills, will ho brought to tho City Council Chamber on Sunday morning, and the funeral cortege will start from tho Council Chamber. THE ONE TOPIC GREAT SYATPATE I OF THE PEOPLE DECEASED’S HOLD OX CHRISTCHURCH. BPECIAi TO THS " TIMEB.” CHRISTCHURCH. July 27. Very great sympathy has been shown in regard to Air Taylor’s illness. Throughout the morning there were crowds of anxious inquirers outside Xurso Turner's homo, anti little knots of people stood and chatted about the stricken mayor’s public life and achievements. Workers going liomoward at noon crossed tlie roadway in largo numbers when they' reached tho homo and inquired from friends and strangers about the condition of Air Taylor. Tho feeling throughout the city all the morning was one of most sincere anxiety, and concern, and everywhere friends and political opponents of Air Taylor expressed sympathy and regret. Throughout his long career Air T. 11. Taylor won and lost public favour. His popularity ascended to heights and then dropped, a few devoted followers remaining loyal fo their chief. II is long fight against heavy odds and his outspoken manner made for fluctuations, but since the last elections he had gradually secured increased hold over the city (says the “.Star”). When Christchurch at last decided to place him in the highest post it could offer it scorned as if bis popularity had reached the climax, hut even the remarkable display of admiration last April has faded into insignificance now. Wi DESPITE AD PEG PET RESOLUTIONS OF CONDOLENCE. WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL. At last night's meeting of the Wellington City Council, tho Acting Mayor, Councillor Smith, in announcing the dentil of Air Taylor, said the deceased had played a very important part in tho affairs of tho Dominion, and, ho snpppsecl. had Afr Taylor been able to live for another ten years, ho would probably have become the greatest man in I ho country, for he possessed the ability and peieovorance to go on with tho work ho laid out before him. They sympathised with his wife and family, and also with the citizens and City Council of Chrstchurch. A vote of condolence was passed, and the council adjourned its business for ten minutes. FARAfETtS’ UNION. The Karmens’ Union conference sent

church, yest-ernonu before Mr Tcylor Ivul died, offering its sir.fore M'unmthv ’"illi lo r in Mr 'i’ayh>r\ illness; and trusting ill at hn would !>c sorm n-l-ucd to health. Several speakers pni'l tribute to Mr Taylor’s value as a public man. TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. At tho meeting of the Wellington Trades and Labour Council last night, the following resolution was moved: “’Thai it i-i with deep regret that this council bairns of the untimely demise of Air Thomas E. Taylor, M.P. for Christchurch Xor’ii, and Mayor of Clirislchureh, and herewith tcndcre h:s good wife and family its deepest sympathy and condolences in their sad I>ereavmm nl.” The resolution was carried in silence, all tho delegates standing. It was decided that a wreath he procured on, behalf of the council, to he placed on the coffin, and that tho presi-

dent Mr W. T. Young, should proceed to Christchurch to officially represent the council at the funeral. Out of respect to the memory of the deceased, no further business was transacted, and the council adjourned for one week. THE NEWS IX PARLIAMENT. The House of Representatives granted four weeks’ leave of absence to the member for Christchurch North scarcely an hour before his death. At that time .it was rumoured that the end had come, but against this was the definite news of a hopeful character from Mr Taylor's family. When a telegram received by Air P. M. B. Pisher was posted in. the lobby after the adjournment, it was evident that the news created a profound impression. Parliamentarians were always keenly interested in Mr Taylor, and the House always listened to his incisive speeches with rare, attention. The House of Representatives has to pass an Imprest Supply Bill to-day. but the general opinion is that it will go through .rapidly this afternoon so that the adjournment out of respect to the memory of the deceased member can be taken in time to enable a number of Ids former colleagues to travel south and attend the funeral. IRISH ENVOYS' APPRECIATION. In the course of his address at the farewell banquet to the Irish Nationalist envoys, Air R. Hazleton. Af.P.. made reference to the death of Air Taylor, whom he called one of the most distinguished of tho sons of this country. Although the speaker had known him only for a few days he had become his personal friend, and he felt his loss as a personal loss. He felt sure that from tho gathering they might send an expression of sorrow and regret to his widow and family. SYMPATHY IN NELSON. PEESS ASSOCIATION. NELSON, July 27The council adopted resolutions of condolence with tho Christchurch lion and Airs Taylor on the death of Mr T. E. Taylor, Alayor of that city, INVERCARGILL’S TRIBUTE. INVERCARGILL, July 27. Last night his Worship the Alayor of Invercargill (Mr AV. A. Ott) forwarded, on behalf of the citizens, a message of condolence to Airs Taylor on thb death of her husband, the Alayor of Christchurch. MR TAYLOR’S CAREER POLITICAL ACTIVITIES. SOME NOTABLE INCIDENTS RECALLED. * S3,'.«CIAI» TO THS "TiaiE3/* Mr Thomas Edward Taylor was horn at Kirton, Lincolnshire, on June • 3Gth, 3SG2. Ho arrived in Kow Zealand with, his parents on the ship Cardigan Castle in IS7L He was educated in primary schools at West Christchurch and Avoni side- Mr’Taylor was for nearly twenty years in the employ of Messrs J. AL Hoy wood and Co., forwarding agents, and for several years prior to leaving the firm occupied tho position of manager. In February, FLJo. ho entered into business o.u bis own account as commission agent and Importer. Mr Taylor’s Livt appearance in ■municipal politics was in Sydenham when that part of the city was a separate borough. He was one oi six candidates for three vacant scais eu the council, and the poll phe’-’d him third on tlio list, tho arbor hvo successful candid Mas being -Messrs William 'A bite and William Langdown. The election took place on September Bth* 18S7, and Mr Taylor* served Sydenham as a councillor fur several years. FIRST PALLIAMK.XTAKY ELECTION. Ho first sought Parliamentary honours In IS9G. when'the appointment of the lion. W. P. Reeves ns Agynt-Gomuul [(.ft one oi the ( hnslehureh city seats vacant. The by-election took place on hVhiiiary I.Uh and it will ho remembered licit it eveited ti rmeiuhuis interest. There Hu undid,in Jim (u’d. v,V.

Mr Charles Lewis, who was standing in tho Upjiositiyu in'.eie-.t, Mr U. M. Taylor, Mr T. "li. T.ivhir, who was the fleet of the prohilnnoa party. The election was won by .Mr Lewis with 4174 voles. Mr T. 11. Tavku- was second with 4102 votes, and Air It. M. Taylor third with '.ii'Jti voles. The general election followed cm December 4i:li of the same year, -mil on this occasion Air Taylor was returned as junior member for Christchurch. There were eleven candidates for tlie three grouped seats and the successtul ones were Mr Charles Lewis, Air inuw the He nd G. J. Smith, and Mr T. E. Taylor. Mr Taylor throughout: his political life adopted the role of critic, and hn was responsible- for some of tho most exciting incidents in the late political life of the country..- He made it his boast flint he was absolutely independent of party, and at a recent meeting in Richmond said that ho won three elections without tho aid of any political party. The I'olico Commission which was axipointrd in fho session of .1397 was largely the result of Air Taylor’s action in the House. His election record was in some respects a remarkable ono. Ho was elected in IBlitl, defeated in ISHII. elected again in 1902, defeated again in 1905, and elected again in 1903. BIG EVENT’S IN POLITICS. Tho events of politicial significance with which Mr Taylor has been prominently associated readily leap into one’s memory. There was the first Police Commission of 1897, the vouchor incident, tho Soddon-Taylor case, and tho antiDreadnought agitation of last year. Mr Taylor was most prominently associated with tho prohibition movement in Christchurch and in New Zealand. Ho holnod to form the Prohibition League in 189 U and has been ono of tho most active and enthusiastic lecturers on prohibition and no-lioenso. Ho often said that hi* first speeches wore made in tho iSquajn under "the old sycamore tree near tho Godley staple. It was an excellent training ground tor him, as it must he admitted that as an open-air speaker he had fow equals. He could hold rapt ah tention of the largest crowds. His faculty for repartee was a groat asset to him in those meetings, and there wore fow who after onco encountering his rapior-likc wit cared to run the risk of a second bout. In 1891 he was elected a member of the Sydenham Incensing Committee, whoso deliberations were the cause of some interesting and important litigation. Tho inclusion of the national prohibition issue in the licensing ballot paper by tho amendment of the Act last session gave Mr Taylor unbounded satisfaction. After tho session closed he addressed cmito a number of public meeting here on that question, and journeyed to Dunedin to, address a monster meet; lug there. AIR TAYLOR AS AIAYOR. Tho election of Air Taylor to the office of Chief Alagistrato of tho city of Christchurch took place on April 2Gth, when ha was returned by a substantial majority. Ho brought all tho energy of Ills strenuous personality to bear on the discharge of duties of that office. , Lose than throe weeks after his election ho brought down his road reconstruction scheme on which tho poll waa taken yesterday. Ho addressed meetings on successive evenings at the Choral Hall, Linwood, and St. Albans, and on the evening of the day on which he was laid up ho was to have spoken at Sydenham. It was suggested to Air Taylor that he was overtaxing his strength by holding those meetings in such rapid succession, but ho replied that the scheme must be explained to tho ratepayers and that he must do it before leaving to attend the session of Parliament. Illness compelled him to abandon tho Sydenham meeting, it was not thought that his indisposition would ho any more than temporary, and tho nows that he had on Sunday undergone a critical operation caused public anxiety- to be manifested to an extraordinary degree. On all sides were heard expressions of the utmost sympathy mingled with tho hope that Air Taylor would speedily recover. Tho deceased leaves a widow and six children, including one son, an infant.