GENERAL REGRET EXPRESSED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2045, 4 May 1893, Page 14

GENERAL REGRET EXPRESSED.

Wellington, April 27. The Hon. John Ballance, Premier, died at his residence, Tinakori road, at 19 minutes past 6 o'clock this evening ; atat 54 years and one month. During the latter part of last session Mr Ballance became indisposed, suffering from an inward complaint, and he has been in indifferent health since. Recently he visited Wanganui, and the trip was reported to have had a beneficial effect, but on his return here the old complaint reappeared, and he had several relapses. A fortnight ago he was sufficiently well to take a trip round the harbour in the Government launch Ellen Ballance, but a day or two later he had a severe relapse, and on Sunday last the intestinal obstruction havieg become more acute, and all other means having been tried without success, it was absolutely necessary to afford the patient relief by an* operation. The operation was successfully performed on Sunday last by Drs Cleghorn, Henry, and Fell, and Mr Ballance felt immediate relief. Since Saturday, however, Mr Ballance, has been unable to partake of any food, but yesterday champagne was injected, and gave temporary relief. The patient's weakened constitution gave the utmost anxiety to his friends, and this morning a decided change for the worse took place, and at 1.35 p.m. his medical advisers gave up all hope, and intimated that the end was not far off. During the afternoon Mr Ballance became unconscious, and remained so till death intervened. Among those around his death bed wete Mrs Ballance, two of her sisters and her brother, Sir Robert Stout, Sir , Patrick Buckley, the Hons. Messrs Cadman, Seddon, Reeves, andM'Kenzie, and Drs Henry, Cleghorn, and Fell, and Mr A. M. Smith, private secretary. The health of the Premier has been the one absorbing topic in the city since it was known that an operation had been performed, and daily bulletins were anxiously awaited. When the news was announced by extras this evening a sad gloom was cast over the city. About 4.20 this afternoon a number of flags in the city, including that at Government House, were lowered to half mast, and the report speedily spread that the Premier was dead, but a few minutes later the flags were hoisted full height again. The Resident Magistrate's Court and Land Board in the meantime adjourned, Mr Martin, R.M., who presided over the former, remarked that the -death was a national calamity. This evening on the City Council meeting the mayor immediately moved its adjournment out of respect to the memory of deceased. In doing so he said at the present time he did not intend to make a speech as no doubt later on the council would desire* in a formal way, to mark it 3 sense of the loss the colony had sustained by the death of Mr Ballance. He was a political opponent of the Premier, but had learned to respect him for his honesty of purpose and good qualities, and as mayor he could testify to the interest Mr Ballance had taken in the affairs of the City of Wellington. He cordially and sincerely regretted his death. Councillors Fraser and" Vogel also paid high tributes to his memory, and referred to his death as a national calamity. Mr Ballance was born in Antrim on March 27, 1839, and arrived in New Zealand in August 1865. He leaves a widow and an adopted daughter. - Messages of condolence have been received from all parts of the colony. In the case of Mr Ballance peritonitis did not set in, his death being due to weakness occasioned by long illness. The operation had been most successfully performed, and he had admitted to the medical gentlemen their great ekill in performing it. The doctors have been unremitting in their attention, and Dr Cleghorn has resided at the Premier's residence since the operation. Mr Ballance became unconscious about 4 o'clock, but up to that he bad been able to recognise those around him. ' Drs Fooks and Gape examined the body after death, and found a stricture in the course of the bowels, which could not help proving fatal. There was no tumor in the stomach or bowels. The funeral will take place in Wanganui on Sunday afternoon. A special train leaving here on Sunday will convey the body, also Ministers of the Crown and others. The following is a copy of the Gazette issued by the Colonial Secretary: — "It is with deep regret I have to announce that the Hon. Mr Ballance died this evening at the Premier's residence, Tinakori road, at 20 minutes past 6. The officers at Government Buildings are relieved from duty on Friday and Saturday." Mr Ballance's life was insured, but the amount is not known. At a parade of the Wellington Guards tonight, Captain Paterson referred to the loss the volunteers had sustained by the death of Mr Ballance. At the meeting of the Trades and Labour Council to-night, a resolution was carried that the council learns with the deepest regret of the death of Mr Ballance, and that they can never forget the great services he has rendered to the Labour cause ; also, that Mr Ballance, unlike any person who had preceded him in the high official position as head of the Government, was a man of deeds, and one who was fully acquainted with the requirements of the workers,

(Fbom Oub Own Cobrespondent.)

Wellington, April 27. The Hon. John Ballance, Premier of the colony, died at 6.20 this evening. Politically there is' no Government now as Ministers only hold office until their successors are appointed. It is rumoured that Sir Patrick Buckley will be sent for, he being Attorney-general and the senior member of the late Government, as well as the highest in rank. The rapidity of Mr Ballance's rise to the highest distinction and eminence is worth a special record :— ln 1865 he was an ironmonger in Birmingham. In 1867 he was a cornet in the Wanganui Cavalry. In 1875-1877 he was a member of Parliament, rising to be Treasurer of the colony in 1878. In 1884 he was again in office as Minister for Lands, Native Affairs, and Defence. In 1887 he went back to his newspaper after haviDg put the colony in a state of defence. In 1891 he returned to office as Premier of the colony. In a political sense, therefore, it must be said his career has been eventful. In his first session in Parliament he introduced a bill to enable municipalities to raise loans by a vote of the ratepayers on the security of a special rate without the necessity of any further permissive legislation. This bill passed the House o£ Representatives, but was rejected by the Legislative Council by ft small majority. In the next session the principle was embodied in the Municipal Corporations Bill, which was introduced by Sir Julius Vogel, who, in moving the second reaJing, acknowledged the assistance which had been rendered by Mr Balhmce in framing the bill. His name is also associated witn village settlements and the defence

of the cobDy, the fortifications having bsen commanced and carried to an advanced stage while he was Defence Minister. He also reorganised the Permanent Militia, and his Native policy was eminently successful" As a man Mr Ballance was kind and genial, frank and outspoken. At this particular moment of the history of New Zealand, his death is a serious public loss.