DEATH OF SIR JULIUS VOGEL

Otago Witness, Issue 2358, 4 May 1899, Page 63

DEATH OF SIR JULIUS VOGEL

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY.

(From Our Own* Correspondent.)

LONDON, March 17.

With much regret I have to record the death of . another quondam New Zealander of deserved celebrity — Sir Julius Vogel. H-.) had been ailing for some time, and patted away somewhat suddenly last Sunda/ at half-past 8, at his residence, East Mol&fcey. Surrey. ■

The actual cause of death was of th? respiration owing to a .severe attack of bronchitis, but as a matter of fact Sir Julius had been a bedridden invalid for two years, indeed evei since the severe-ill-ness which he then passed through when

for a time- his recovery was regarded as hopeless, v He did pull througli- nevertheless, bm only as a physical wreck, his sense oi' hearing almost entirely lost, whilst his lower limbs were paralysed.

Yet his mind remained active as ever. He continued to take the keenest interest in all public affairs, particularly tho&e which concerned New Zealand, and one of his last acts was to forward to the Agent-general for New Zealand a subscription toward the Grey memorial fund, which he enclosed in an appreciative and sympathetic letter. But virtually Sii Juliuh Vogel has disappeared from the public view for several years, and seeing how long and brilliant a career has been his, one feels .some degree of surprise to find that at the time of his death he was only 64 years of age.

Whatever may be thought of his policy or administration, no one will be found to deny that he has left an imperishable name on the list of British Empire-Builders. 'IHj those who condemn as reckless and impiovident the policy which he originated. I Sjho'uld" like to recommend a study of his actual proposals and of the circumstances in which he was compelled to submit to alterations which embodied all the objectionable features that later critics have discovered in the policy which goes by his name. Those who take the trouble of refeience wiH find that these objectionable features were forced upon him against Ills will and in spite of his strenuous resistance ; were ins-isted upon by tlie representatives of the people; and that he was foiced to submit under penalty of seeing hi.-; whole .scheme wrecked.

I do not say thai he was wise to accept the alternative, but I do say that it is only fiur to remember these things .at a time when it is customary to attribute to him matters for which others were wholly bkiiiuble, and agaiust which he himseif

fought until he found that persistence would mum dofoat. Th''.s his scheme was carried <ifte" el'iniivt'ing .all the safeguards which his foresight had piovidud against the extiavagant nu-u'-o -ot bi>Liu\ a! mnney for political puipo^-s.* <md so in niter years lie was hhnn-jd u>r ihe occui'i"i.ce ot those abuses whin, lie > »l Lought in vain to guard against. N<iw iiuit he h.is gone from us, let u^ at least do hi --ice to his memory. Few people in London, know the Jewish CemetEiv Tit \~\ illc^de" Many of those living witlun a slonc'i-tVim of il aie unaware of its existence, in so secluded a position is it placed. Here, on Wednesday, at noon, the funeral of the late Sir Julius Vogel took place. The earlier part of the service was held at East Slolesey, the residence of the family ; the body was then taken to Willesden. f Here, in the Mortuary Synagogue attached "to the cemetery the severely simple, but intensely impressive service according to the Jewish ritual was concluded by the Rev. J. Samuel, rabbi of the Bay&water Synagogue. The coffin — plain, and covered with black cloth, — followed by the mourners, was then laid in a^ bricked grave near. ' Mr Harry B. Vogel and Mr Julius Vogel, sons of the deceasedj were the chief mourners. Following these were Mr W. P. Reeves (Agent-general), Mr Walter Kehnaway, C.M.G. (a very old friend of Sir Julius's). Mr P. M. Kennaway, Mr A. Row (who commenced his career at the Agencygeneral under Sir Julius), Mr S. Boyd Bi owning, Mr H. F. yon Haast, Mr J. Mackerel. Mr Herbert Leon, Mr Leon Isaac, Mr Frederick Isaac, Mr Wilfred Isaac, Mv Bernard Isaac, Mr Alexander Isaac, Mr Ernest Jesse], Mr Alfred D. Nathan, Mr N. A. Nathan (Auckland), Mr Henry Hayman, Mr Geo. Cowie, etc. Several arrived too late to take part in the ceremony owing" to the dense fog hanging over the city all the morning considerably delaying trains, and also from the difficulty in finding the cemetery. Some most beautiful wreaths were sent. One bore the inscription, " For the dear Pater : From his loving wife and children." A second, composed of lilies of the valley on a bed of violets was from the deceased's only sister, "In fond remembrance of a' beloved brother." New Zealand sent a magnificent wreath made up of white flowers and ferns, with just a little colour here and there given by choice orchids. Attached to this were white satin streamers with, in gold embroidery, *" From New Zealand : In memory of many years' public service." Among other senders of wreaths were Mr and Mrs Kennaway. whose card bore the inscription, "With kind regards and sympathy"; Mr 0. W. "Kant, "In kindest remembrance " ; Mrs Selby Egan, of Springfields, East Molesey, '' With sincere sympathy," etc. Wreaths were also sent from unknown friends.

On the announcement of Sir Julius Voxel's death all the leading papers in Londo.i referred most eulogistic-ddly to' his career. Over a column from the pen of Miss Flora Shaw appeared 'in The Times. In almost every sentence of this there were, however, such traces of personal affection that I do not think I am far wrong in fancying there was lite impress of Mr Kennaway's mind. The feelings were tho^e he entertained for his old chief and friend, and I know, for 1 was at Victoria street at the time, that Miss fShaw sought his aid for material. The Daily Telegraph, too, gave an admirably written biography of the deceased. But best of all was a personal appreciation which appeared in the Daily News, added lo the- usual obituary notice. Am I incorrect in ascribing this to Mr W. P. Reeves'/ I was not behind the scenes , but I should be greatly surprised if it be. not In:. Without exception. Sir Julius's career has been characterised as " brilliant," and he is placed in the front rank of colonial statesman. And, above all, his far-sighted policy is praised.

It is slated that a party of miners will probably take up and work the Mokihinui' coal mine, near Weslport, under arrangement with the Government.