LATE SIR WILLIAM STEWARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3061, 13 November 1912, Page 71

LATE SIR WILLIAM STEWARD.

PENSION FOR LADY STEWARD. (From Our Own Coreespondent.) WELLINGTON, November 8. Amongst the items on the Supplementary Estimates is an annuity of ±llsO to Lady Steward during her lifetime, in recognition of her late husband’s services to the State. Some very ungenerous remarks have appeared in one or two newspapers regarding the attitude of the Government in connection with the deceased member’s funeral. I am in a position to state that these remarks are quite incorrect, and that they have greatly grieved the family. Mr 0. Whitoford Steward refers to the matter in the Post to-night as follows ; “As to the absence of wreaths referred to, this is explained by the publication of a paragraph in Wellington requesting that none should be sent, and we have reason to believe tliat the events of the session and some slight misunderstandings arc responsible for the other omission. Although' ‘ the trappings and suits ’ of sympathy on such occasions are by no means to be lightly esteemed, yet in this instance the members of the present Ministry, and especially the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Council, displayed such kindly personal interest in the condition of mV late father from the very commencement of his illness up to the hour of his death that there can be no possible misapprehension on our part, nor need there be any on the part of others, regarding their respect and esteem for one who was so long prominent in the public life of this country. The great consideration which the Ministry, one and all. displayed to my mother and her family in connection with my father’s funeral by making all possible arrangements to honour him, and for our personal comfort, won from ns our sincerest gratitude. I hope that this statement may remove any misunderstanding that has been created.’’