THE LATE CANON COMPTON

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1928, Page 14

THE LATE CANON COMPTON

MAN OF BRILLIANT INTELLECT. (By C. in the Dominion.) To many men and women in Wellington and : ts surrounding districts, the announcement of the death of the Rev. Canon A. W. H. Compton, at New Plymouth, came as a very real grief. He was indeed a friend. Whatever intervals of time or space intervened, his affectionate regard never slackened or grew cold. A man of brilliant intellectual attainments, fine scholarship, keen wit, with an ever-ready understanding and appreciation of the beautiful, whether in music, literature, or nature; his outstanding characteristic was the discernment of these gifts in others. Whether he lived in suburban parish or country district, he was always finding talents, gifts, touches of genius, amongst his fellow men. And his

geese really were swans. lie truly did mark the distinguishing gift, however, hidden under commonplace and everyday exterior. For many a man gnd woman life was changed by his appreciation. Self-respect and self-con-fidence was developed; a breath from a larger world refreshed the dusty path of duty. In his love was no room for any spiteful, curious or bitter thought. In all the petty stress and struggle of daily life, his was a heart of gold. During the last few months of his life he was under the shadow of increasing ill-health; humanly speaking, no cure was possible. So when the news of the swift, merciful passing came, his friends uttered a cry of thankfulness that the menace was lifted, the gallant spirit freed. But though they rejoice with him. they grieve for themselves —for they have lop l a friend.