The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1905. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1903. THE LATE WILLIAM ROLLESTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11841, 11 February 1903, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1905. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1903. THE LATE WILLIAM ROLLESTON.

Another of the great men of the colony has put off his armour and lain down to rest. William Rolleston, Mho .closed his eyes upon all earthly scenes on Sunday afternoon last, "was a man whose memory will «ver be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him, and be regarded with respect wild esteem by that wider circle of colonists who only knew of his high reputation! -as an able, honourable, and absolutely "unselfisih public man. Although'in the course of his political career he held important posts in several Ministries, he never was Premier, -and no honours fell to his lot. Yet ha did much to shape the destinies of the colony wisely and well, and no Minister ever laboured more honestly, earnestly, and laboriously to administer the affairs of the departments of -which he had charge, in the best interests of the people of both' Paces. . What bo did for

Canterbury, when as a young man he reigned over the province as its superintendental king, the old residents of that part of the colony delight to tell. But by the people of the colony as a whole he is but remembered for his services m iMe cause of edu6ation, and his sympathetic, just, and vigorous administration of native affairs and of the Department of Lands. A man of education and culture, big-brained, broad-m-nded, large-heartedi strictly truthful and kL-iast painfully accurate in his statements, ha hated shams, and was absolutely scorching in his indignant exposure of them in public life. Yet, bold and. fearless as he was as a fighter, he was one of the kindliest of men, and sympathetic to a degree with all to whom a word of counsel or cncoufragement was helpful. In Parliamenthe was as a kind and wise father to all young members who sought his advice. Indeed, he would often, put them completely at their ease by appearing to consult them as to whait they thought of certain proposed courses of action. For the workers of the colony, and especially for struggling settlers'on the land, he had intensest sympathy, and no Minister of the Crown ever laboured more diligently and laboriously than he did ta improve tJie lot of the people. No unworthy ambition, no jealousy of his colleagues, no desire for notoriety, no thought of pecuniary or other reward ever found a place in his mind. Yet he was ever a deep thinker and a strenuous worker, whose sense of public duty was so high that he became almost a slave to its claims. Without any longing for a.reward other than the appreciation of those for whom he laboured, he sipent his life for the good of the people and the advancement of the colony.

While Mr Rollesston was lying upon his side bed, a controversy arose in the Christ■ehurch papers over the story of Parilrak*, as related in a little book recently given to' the, world by a young Canterbury journalist whose sources of information were confined mainly to letters of newspaper correspondents of the time. The fact* that some of the a.utihor's statements appeared to reflect upon Mr Roileston's loyalty to his colleagues, and to hint; fchati h& was entirely lacking in -sympathy with Mi- Bryce's Parihaka policy, induced the latter gentleman, to come out of ihis retirement and pen a letter iti the "Press" in vindication of his friend. Tk* letter, which we publish, Below, appeared in the "Press" on the 4th of this month, and was read to Mr Rolleston/ on the day before h.o;diied, when he was able to follow it and to express his appreciation of its contente. Commenting upon Mr Bryce's .communication, the editor of the "Press" say S _"lb i s our privilege tq-day to publish an historical document of rare value and interest; . . . . It is a totiching, dignified, and impressive lette:,. which we are sure few will be able to read without emotion. "No on© who reads it will believe for one moment that the man ; who penned it is rightly to be written of ■vi flippant strain, or that the proceedings !at Pairihaka, were in any sens* a 'pitiable farce.*"

THE PiARIHAKA AFFAIR.,

To the Editor of the "Press." Sfr,—-Contrary to my vows and intentions, I find myself writing a letter for publication in reference in Parihaka affairs in 1881. My dear, and valued friend William RoHestoni is on a sick bed, and I tihink myself bound to repel implications which I know must be specially distasteful to him. Our most recent historian of the Parihaka incident hasi implied unmistakeably, I am sorry to say, that Mr Rolleston retired from, the office of Najtive Minister in 1881 in order to escape- from actions which lie dreaded for himself, but: desired to hand over to me. How little Mr Alpers understands the true nobility of Mr Rollestom's naitmre! I had left the Hall Ministry nine months previously, and in that interval Rolleston, who took my place as Native Minister, was unceasing in his effort® to arrange terms with Tel Whiti. The Royal Commission and he were in complete accord in their desire for «t> just settlement- of the claims and, disputes. At first hopes | were entertained that matt ere. would becari ranged without) the employment of force. Rolleston hoped with fear—the Commisi sion, in its early daysi,,hopcdi without fear, I hence passages in its reports which have been quoted. But gradually the clouds darkeair cd. T© Whiti would not entertain any proposals for a settlement—nay, he would not : even allow his followers to listen to them. How should he, if he believed his own powers to be 'omnipotent, as, with some lucid intervals, ha generally did. He established the burying ground in the immediate vicinity of the marae so that the dead he was to raise to life would have less trouble !in joining the living. His numerous visitors, month after month for many months brought clothes with them for the dead who were to be quickened into life. Why should they listen to the wretched pakeha? When Titokowaru asked Mm/ on a noted occasion who was behind him to enable him to do the things he spoke of, Te Whiti replied, in a voice which rang over the country side, "There is no ona behind me; I am the Father, I am the Son, I am the Hoiy Ghost; there is no one behind me"; and Titokowaru sato down with a muttered apology- Visits of Ministers, indeed 1 Reserves^ Supremo, Court! Pooh why do white people/talk folly ? It was only when threatened by ani cverwhelming force that Te Whiti's natural timidity overcame ins superstition;. Thai) Te Wluti's, ideas were wider than the West Coast of this island, or well the wihole of Tseiv Zealand, I may ■endeavour to ijhow on a- future, occasion,, but that is not* tihe point just now. The point' is that Rolleston did everything (hat mortal man could do to ensue© by negotiation* a se*f;letaenti withoufi force, and at last had to give up the attempt in despair. Prior to the request that I should resume office, Rollestori had ma<dc all suitable arrangements to secure, by a display of force, a peaoefpl termination of a; dis.igieeable and dangerous fema. Volunteers were enlisted for tlhe sipecwl Kervice. and were on their way to supplemriienit, the forces of the .constabulary. Ati that time I went to Wollington, by. request, to confer with Ministers. Rolleston, in the greatness of bis heart, had insisted that as Government had now adopted *he plan, the refusal of which liad caused my resignation. I, and 1 alone, should carry it out. He would stand back, but give me every loyal assistance. How well, bo-w generously, how magnanimously he kept his word I can understand, though Mr Alpers cannot. It was late in the eveninig of an eventful day that Sir Jonn Hall asked me to rejoin iiis Government. I replied that I had come to Wellington with pleasure to assist with my advice, but that, as a matter' of personal ■feeding. I would mucfr rather uot join, Ho

sajd that Rolleston was very strong on the point, and ho urged that, as a matter of public duty. I could not well decline. Well, late that night wo were with the Acting-Governor in Council. Rolleston had his resignation of the office of Native Minister in one hand, and that terrible proclamation, giving the Parihaka natives 14 days' notice in which to accept the terms offered, in the other hand. He insisted on signing the proclamation before resigning. Must I explain why he thus insisted ? I hope not. For, although Mr Alpers seems unable to understand it, I trust most of your readers have the faculty in which he seems wanting. Then when the fifth of November was approaching, Rolleston came to me at Pußgarehu, near Parihaka, with the intention, as I knew well, of identifying himself with the proceedings and sharing whatever blame might come of it. On the evening of the 4th November (the day before the raid), in the deep anxiety as to what the natives would do on the morrow, I spoke seriously to my friend, and begged him not. to go in with us. He became very sad, and said, "You are captain here, and if you order me to «ro away I will go." I replied that I could not do that, but for anytihing I knew to the contrary, he might be killed the next day. "And you," he said, "wJpßb of yourself?" "Ah, that is another matter. I shall be where my duty requires me to be." "So shall I," tie said. Then I used my last argument and declared that if anything happened to him' Mrs Rolleston would have good cause to reproach me. His voice was. slow and em(phatic as he replied, "If anything happens to me Mrs Rolleston will be grieved, but rather than see me its the circumstances evade a danger which you are to incur, she would prefer to see me dead at her feet." Wei went in to Parihaka next day together, and it was he who wrote in my name the first telegram announcing our success. How steadily, unfalteiringlv, and generously, my friend kept his promise of loyal support no one knows so well as I do. I cannot pursue the theme, but I will not mar it by alluding at present to the awful nonsense which has been written, on the occupation of Parihaka on the sth November, 1881.— Yours, etc.,

JOHN BRYCE