DEATH OF MR MOORHOUSE, M H.R.

Otago Witness, Issue 1559, 24 September 1881, Page 12

DEATH OF MR MOORHOUSE, M H.R.

Wellington, September 15th.

Mr Moorhouse died at 5.20 this morning. He had been sufferiog from diabatrß for the last two years. Whila attending- the Native Ltnds Court atTaupo he had an acute attack, which resulted in the formation of an abscess 3n the right kidney. Mr Moorhouae returned to Wellington from Taupo shortly after the present session of Parliament commenced, but was unahle to attend to his parlisuneiilary duties. It is understood that it was the wish of the deceased to be buried in Canterbury, and that the Stella, which is due hare to-dny, will leave to-morrow morning, conveying his body to Lyttelton. Wellington, September 16th. The remains of the late W. S. Moorbouse were conveyed on board tha Government steamer Stella this afternoon. The funeral procession wasi very large, and included rnemjbers of both Houses of th« Legialatuie, also lb« principal oitizens of Wellington. The Wellington Artillery corps, of which deceased wjvk formerly captain, al«o mustered strongly. Mr Filzgerald, Auditor and Controller-general, left by the steamer, having been deputed by the Speaker and the Premier to represent the Legislature at the funeral in Ooriatchurch. Deeeased'ri family and some of his relations were also passengers by the Stella.

Chbistchuroh. September 15bh.

The late Mr Moorhouse was a native of Yorkshire, born iv 1825, and caoio here at tho end of 1851 to practise his profession as a lawyer. Not finding much scope here he went to Melbourne, where tradition says that he worked either as a digger, navvy, sub-cantrac-tor, or something of the kind. H^ returned to Canterbury at the close of 1853, and immediately made his first appearance in politics as a supporter of Colonel Campbell, who opposed Mr j. E. Fitzgerald for the Suiierititendency of Canterbury. Mr Moorhouse wad elected to the Provincial Council a year or two afterwards, and in 1857 was elected to the Superintendence The famous Lyttelton tunnel was begun during his term o! office, deßpite the opposition against it. He was re-elected Superintendent in 1861, but resigned next year for private reasons. In 1866 he stood again, against Messrs W. T. L. Traversand J. D- Lance, and won the toughest and most exciting election ever fought in Can terbury. He could not work with his Executive, and in 1868 resigned. He contested it for the fourth time, but was beaten, and then stood for Cbristchurch in the General As senilly, and succeeded. In 1876 he was again returned for Christchurch, and in 1879 for Aisbley. But for the last eight years he has taken little part in active politics, and relied on his aame alone fco find him favour with the electors. " Christohubch, September 17th. The funeral of the late Mr W. S. Moorhouae took place to-day. The Stella arrived at Lyt telton'at 11 am. with the remains, which were met at' the wharf by the Hon. Mr Richardson, Messrs John Ollivier, Potts, and Beswick. They were conveyed to Ohristchurch by special train, which arrived at 2.15 p. m. An immense crowd was assembled at the station. A procession was formed, and passed through the city to the Rlccarton Cemetery, where the remain s were interred. The procession was formed in the . following order : — Hearse, with coffin draped in Union Jack ; mourning coaches ; Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry ; detachment j of police, under Superintendent Broham ; 100 carriages with mourners. Flaga at half-mast were displayed at the Government Buildings and other places in the city, and all shops were olosed while the cortege passed. The great bell in the Cathedral was tolled, and the chimes pealed the " Dead March in Saul." All lead Ing citizens followed, and the Christchurch and Sydenh'am Borough Councillors were amongst the mourners.