DEATH OF MR H. S. FISH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10919, 28 September 1897, Page 7

DEATH OF MR H. S. FISH.

With considerable regret we have to announce that Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R., who had been confined •to his house for some months past with a serioue illussj, died about*4 o'clock last Thursday mora-

sj. iug. Considerably over a year ago hs wss I troubled with hoarseness, and last year he took p a trip to the old country, bat after he returned i lie getw worse, and on the advice of his medical c attendaut he went to Melbourne. There an. operation wss performed on him, and a growth f w.-vs removed from one side of the larynx, s Although this growth was,recognised to be can--3 cerous in nature, it was hoped that the opera--3 tion, which was a thorough one* might not be ® followed by a. recurrence of the disease. Mr j .Fish recovered well from the operation, returned g. to Danediu, and afterwards attended the short i. parliamentary session prior to the Jubilee csleT iterations. He, however, soon learnt that his '"• voica was not fit for the strain of public spesk- ' ing, and when he returned from Wellington a rdedio.il cousult»tion was held on his case, and c the opinion given him that the cancerous c diseass had returned and that he was beyond ', the reach of surgical aid. From that time 'lie c gradually grew worse, until ha finally sue- ? climbed to the disease fit the time already i: stated, his last hours being comparatively a peaceful. On the previous day ho seemed to be g in much his usual condition, but ha passed a o restless night, and did not fall to sleep till about t 1 o'clock iv ths morning. Saovtly before 4- a.m. " he awakened, and Mrs Fish, who was in c attendance on him, noticing' that a change had taken place for the woree, sent for the doctor,' a but he died shortly afterwards, c The lato Mr H. S. Fish was born in London in the year 1838, and his father, who preB decsased his son by about two yeare, was at II that titue in business as a painter and glazier, ''. 'having a considerable business and fairly large ~ establishment in one of the London suburbs. . Mr Fish as a boy attended the Cave House " School, Uxbridge, which was conducted by Dr s Beasley. When, howevar, he was about 11 3 years old his parents left England, takiug their *f family with them to Melbourne, Victoria. Here Mir Fish grew to manhood, and in 1883, when t quite a young man, ha cama to Otago, aud ■, niade his home in this city, hia parents follovfs ing him. H« was married to Miss Jane Carr, daughter of Captain Carr, oa the 31st January, i' 1867, and has.had a family of 13 children, of • whom five died when quite youusr, and eight 0 survive; the eldest being Mr H. D. Fish, d who i«j quite a youDg man, and has for some 1 time taken a p*rt in the rnnungemens of hia b father's business. Mr H. 8.-'Fish sorved three • teims in the Provincial Couccil as one of the 1 representatives of the city; but tke principal I *" part he porformed in public life was iv the con- \' tfoi and administration of civic matters, to which ■- more particular reference will be made. Whaniui the Provincial Council ha was a member of the ! c short-lived Executive formed by Mr Donsld Keid, being appointed to the position of Pro- \ vincial Secretary. In the Parliament of the \ colony he filled a more conspicuous position, ! having boen four times elected a member of the b House of Representatives for the City of i Dunedin. He was first returned to Parliament f for Dunedin South in 1881. In 1884 he was 1 defeated by Mr James Gore, but iv 1887 turntd | the tables ou his opponent and again took bis j neat in the House. When tin city conutibueucies were amalgamated in 1890 he was agiin f returned as one of the three city membsrs. s For the following Parliament he was defeated, • being fourth on the poll, but he was again ' elected iv December, IG9B, and took his seat \ during the short special session early this year. » As a member of Parliament Mr Fish was \ exceedingly diligent, an admirable speaker, i aud a strong supporter or most determined 5 opponent as the case might ba; in either event a power not lightly to be esteemed. i The greater part of his public life may be said , to hava been devoted to the municipal polities lof this city; and iv thin sphere of activity he i displayed a. vigour und persistency which were , ti'uly remarkable, ami which account for the success ha so repeatedly obfcuitiad. Mr Fish 1 firafc entered the City Council, as a councillor , Z, for South Ward, so far baok as August, 1863,— j >on tiiat occasion beating hia opponent; Mr '

John Edmoud, by 15 votes. The polling ia those days was small, as the highest number of votes secured was 119. He was re-elected ia 1869, oq that occasion polling more than double the nuaifear of votes given to his opponent, Mr S. S. Hutchison. In July of this year (1869) he stood, foe the ficet time, foe the office of Mayor of Dunediu, but, though he polled remarkably well, bis opponent;, Mr Birch, was elected by a m&jority of 54-. Next year ha again stood, and was elected mayor, banting the late Mr''(John Griffin and two other candidates. At tha close of his teem of office lie again stood aud was re-elected mayor in 1871, beatiug Mr L. Thoneman and Mr 'I. Birch; and hs was once more re-elected in the following year by a very large majority over his opponent Mr Robert Rossbotham, thus occupying the mayoral chair of this city for three years consecutively. Oq retiring from the office of mayor at the expiration of his term he staod for the position of councillor for South Ward in August, 1873, but was defeated by Mr Evan Prosaer, who polled 271 votes against 2H. In tha following year, however, when tbe number of councillors for each ward was increased from two to three, Mr Fish aud Me H. J. Walter werd elected for South Ward without opposition. The following year, at hia own request, he was balloted out. He remained out of municipal official life, however, only for one year; for in July, 1876, he was again electsd. In the following December he again resigned ia order to bs qualified for appointment by the council to tha Harbour Board ; and having been so appointed, he immediately stood again for his seat ia the council, and successfully contested it with Messrs G. P. Farquhar and W. E. Couiins. Mr Fish." waa elected, together with Mr James Gore, in 1877; and in 1878; when now elections were rendered necessary by the city coming under the Municipal, Corporations Act of 1876, he was again elected, together with Mi: J. T. R)bert3 and Mr J. Gore. Iv 1878 he contested the mayoralty, bub was defeated by Mr H. J. Walter, the pelting being respectively 854- aud 581. Coining again before the burgesaes tha following. year he turned tha tables on Mr Walter,, securing 903 votes against 586, but was ousted from office by ths decision of the Rssident;Magistrate on the ground that he was interested ia a small contract with the corporation. Agarn in 1830 he was a candidate for the position of mayor, but hia opponent, Mr A. H. Ross, was successful, winning the election with a majority of nearly 200. During all this time Mr Fish was, however, a member of the City Council, and for ais knowledge of municipal affairs and his great force of character, an influential aud important member, taking a leading part in nearly all the questions that came before the council. In 1831 Mr Fish retired from the council and remained put of municipal politics for nearly five years, but during this time he'was a member of Parliament for the City, and his activity was great aud his influence by no means insiguificant in the larger sphere of parliamentary life. Again in 1886 he sought successfully to re-enter the City Council as a councillor for South Ward, aud Jib retained oh seat for some years, being re-elected in 1889 and 1892, in both instances uiaoppo3ed. In 1892 he unsuccessfully contested the mayoralty with Mr C. Haynes, biit in the following year he was elected mayor, beating Mr C. R. Chapman by 1067 to 749, aud was agsin eleuted mayor in 189 i against Mr William Dawaon. His, last contest for the mayoralty was in 1895, when he was defeated by Mr N.Y. A. AVales; but he was elected a couucillor in December, 1896, and held office up to August last, whea he resigned. It is, oE course, remarkable that any one man should have been sis times elected mayor of this city and - that he should have been almost continuously a membsr of the council for 30 years, but it is also the fact that whenever present Mr Fish exercised very marked and often a determined influence. In the early dayu he was practically the moving spirit iv eenutction with large undertakings on the part of the City Corporation. He took a leading part in connection with the widening of Princes street aud the acquisition of the gaaworko sad waterworks. The extension of the water supply by the construction, of the Silyerstream race he not less vigorously opposed, and the statements he made concerning the new work, in direct opposition to the professional opinions on the subject, proved singularly accurate, showing Shat his foresight was keen and his ' judgment sound. During late years in the council Mr Fish was' chiefly concerned in the loan conversion scheme, which he initiated, but which Mine to a close through the death of Mr R. H. Leary ; and in-the scheme for the erection of abattoirs under the controlof the City Corporation, the buildings for which are now in course of erection. ...He was also largely interested in a thorough.drainage scheme, for which dcsigiss'were chosen, but this project is hung up in the meantime. The mere enumeration of ttie public matters in which the deceased gentleman was interested show* how largely he devoted himself to civic affairs, and all acquainted with hini knew" with what zaal he applied himself to the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him. :

AUhough the'mnjoc, portion of Mr Fish's public service was given within the sphere of municipal government, ■ any account of his. icareer would be strangely, incomplete that failed to mention his long connection with and active interest in friendly societies and kindred organisations. He was evar an ableadvoaate of the benefits arising, especially to working men, from tkat form of just and prudent co-operation which has given rise to organisations known throughout tha world under the descriptive title of "Friendly Societies." As. a propagandist in this connection he was most forcible and eloqneat, and he was ever the active and zaaious defender of tha interests of these associations. Of the Manchester Unity Order of OddfeUows ho was a member for over 40 years. When quite a youth ha joined the Manchester Unity 1.0.0. F. in Melbourne, and it may readily ba believed took an active part in connection with it from the first. Shortly after his arrival in Otago he made bis presence felfc by the active part he took in the government'^? the M.U 1.0.0.P., Otago District. He was a member of tlia Albion Lodge, and having filled various chairs in the lodge he subsequently passed " through all the'offices in connection with the central body for tha Otago District. In November) 1877, he was elected Deputy Provincial "Girand Blaster, and in October of the. .following year he wis olected Provincial Graud Master at the district meeting ■ held at Lawrence. His interest in friendly societies did not ce&se on his having attained all the honours that could ba bestowed by the organisation with which he wan immediately connected. He was regularly appointed a.1 delegate to the distriot meetings, and almost up to the close of his life actively interested.himself in all matters concerning the good government and prosperity of the'sa organisations. As is well known, too, h3 took gceat interest in the Caledonian Society, and was as' proud of it and of tha work it accomplished us though he had himself been a native of Scotland. For very many years he was one of its directors, he served on its various committees, and he ultimately passed through its chair*, bsing vice-president in 1891-92 and president of the society in 1893 94. O£ lftte years Mr Fish took part in ths temperance movement aud ho was the first chief of Lodge Hope of Dunedin, 1.0. G.T., which was instituted in May, 1896. in connection with many other matters Mr Fish took a prominent and often an exceedingly helpful p»rt. He encouraged all manly sports, and by parsqnal semes, donations, aud patronage in his official capacity earned the gratitude of many interested in these pastimes. Then hs was a strong supporter of primary education, and served repeatedly on various school committees. He was also at one time a corporal in the B Battery of Artillery, aDd held the office of secretary. His connection with the Harbour Board has beeu incidentally referred to. He joined that body as the representative of the citizens appointed by the City Council, and at first resigned his position a3 a councillor in order to do so. During several years ia the early history of tho Harbjur Board he was a member of that body and was noted for punctuality, regularity, aud unremittiag industry. His capacity for work in all directions was simply wonderful. Iv addition to this remarkable catalogue of public services much might be added to make the story complete. Almost every public movement ia the city within the laßt 30 years found Mr H. S. Fish to the front with admonition, encouragement, or assistance. Ho served on numerous committees organised for benevolent purposes, and did not fail to respond with generous sympathy to the voice of distress, or refuse to as<i*t in a practical manner to alleviate suff uring. The long public service of the deceased, his generous though impulsive disposition, and his great suffering, borne with courage, patience, and fortitude, will cause him to be long held in affectionate remembrsnea.

The Premier, on learning of the death of SI X Fish, wired as follows :—

I am very sorry indeed to hear of the death of Mr Fish. His many years of faithful service to the citizens of Duuedin will, I feel sure, be ever gratefully remembered by them. As a member of Parliament he also did good work. Though we differed occasionally, I always recegnisea his great natural ability.and earuestoeas of purposs. It was only yesterday,, in^the midat of all my anxietiei and the'many public matters I have to atteud to at this juncture, I felt imuelled to send him a telescram. little dreaming that his end was so near. The .mystery is''solved—he has crossed the bar,—and my hope is that he has entered eternal smooth water. I have sent a telegram to Mrs Fish sympathising with the bereaved ones iv their sad and irreparable loas, and it is my intention to ask the House to adjourn as a mark of respect for tho memory of the deceased.—X. J. Seddon'.

The funeral of the late Mr H. S. Fish, M.H.R., took pUce last Saturday afternoon, a large number of persons following the remains of the deceased to the place of iuterment at the Southern Cemetery. Bight members of the Miifionic order acted as pdll-bssrers, and all tho societies ami public iustitntions with which Mr Fish had bsen connected were well represented iv the coriet/e, which was fully a quarter of a

mile in length. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. W. Curzou-Siggere, of St. Matthew's Church, and as the funeral procession passed down Stafford street from the deceased's residence to Princes street the church bell was solemnly tolled. The streets were lined oith people all the w*y along the route of the procession, arid a large crowd also gathered in the cemetery in the vicinity of the deceaeed'a last resting place. Among those present at the funeral were the Mayor (Me H. Gourley), Crs Solomon, Swan, Gore, Carroll, Hardy, Denniston, Mouat, Park, Messrs S. H." Miranw (city surveyor) and VKj B. Taylor (fco<m clerk), Messrs J. T. Mackerras, J. Robin, A. C. Bs!gg, AY. Wright, J. Thomson, and Captain M'Kiunon (Harbour Board), Messrs T. S. Graham, Sydney James (Masons), Hons. W. D. Stewart, W. M. Bolt, and J. MacGregor, M.L.C.s, Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, M.H.R.i Meaßrs W. L. Hooper, J. James, and members of theD.A.B. Club, members of the Civil Service Club (of which deceased was vice-president), members of the Oddfellows' and Good Templar lodges, M<js3rs B. B. Cargill, W. C. Kirkcaldy, A. Burfc, K. Ramsiy, J. Moloney, D. M. Spedding, sen, J. R. Morris, sen., J. Braithwaite, J. B. Thomson, W. Haydon, P. M'Gcegor. W. G. Neill, W. B. Boyd, F. M&Uard, J. Hunter, H. Isaacs, D. M'Nicoll, L. Kemnitz, Charles Bird, A. G. Feawick, S. Orr, D. Baxter, J. H. Morrison, J. Hyman, Hon. T. Fergus, J. P. Armstrong, R. K. Murray, Colin Allan, R. Wilson, P. Y. Wales, J. M'R&e G&llawayv A. Lee Smith, John Mill, Sey Hoy, Jaineg "VYafcson. R. Watson, A. Eyans, T. Ross, S. H. Carter, J. W. Jago, Lachlan Maclean, M. Cohen, James Hislop, V. M'Pher36n, W. A. W. Watheu, J. T. Stewart, J; Wilkinson; S-.'N. Brown, P. Wilson^ C. Speight, C. P. Greenslsde, S., G. Smith, W. B. Harlow, R. Blackadder, C. M'K. Gordon, G. A. King, T. Brown, T. Cornish, R. Watson, W. Ibbotson, R. Wilson, R Glendining, L. Mendelsohn, F. Meenau, J. Hszlett, John Keid, H. Calder, H. North, R. Sx-ndilanda, T. K. Harty, P. Rankin, -C. Maeaudrew, J. Browo, P. Keligher, J. W. Smith, J. Loudon, T. W. Kempthorrie, B. Sievwright, A. Melville, J. N. Merry, F. W. Petre. K. Marks, W. Hutchison, H. S. Valentine, C. Howison, W. M'Beath. A. Wilson, W. D. Hanlon, D. C. Cameron, Wm. Farnie, C. W. Kerr, H. Wise, R. S. M'Vickar, D. M. Spedding, Jan., P. Lake, T. Austin, A. Blair, J. Reid, H. M. West, W. Owen, J. Liston, C. Samson, Thomas Culling, J. Mitchell, J. M'FurlaQe, P. Tcsseder, J. W. Briodley. H. B. Smith, George Simpson, J. Garratt, G. Jacobs, D. Sandeman, Professor Biack, Dr Brown, Dr Martin, Dr Birnetb, Dr Reimer, and Br Batchelor. Amongst those who sent wreaths were tha Premier (the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon), the Hope of Duuedin (1.0. G.T.) Lodge, and the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club, and a number of private friends and citizens.