PERSONAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13675, 8 May 1912, Page 5

PERSONAL.

The Hon. Te Rangihiroa arrived in Wanganui by the three o'clock train from Wellington yesterday afternoon. Ho was met at. ttie station and welcomed to Wangaunt tiy Mr. Wereroa Kingi, and other influential natives. The Hon. Rangihiroa whose visit is in connection with Maori land affairs, will return to Wellington tomorrow.

The Hon. Dr. Eangihiroa will conclude his visit to Wanganui to-morrow, when lie will leave for Wellington by the Now Plymouth express. The Minister's next move is to llewiti (Mortli Auckland), whore he will preside at the Prst meeting of the Npntiwhatua Maori Council.

The Prime Minister made touching allusion to the death of the Hon. Jas. McGowan in a speech at Orawia last evening. He said that in the passing of the Hon. Janies McGowan the Dominion had lost an honourable, valued, and useful Minister, and the country one of its noblest citizens. Mr McGowan lived a long life of great usefulness. Ho was full of benevolent actions. He was a man of outstanding, sterling worth, one who devoted himself to the uplifting of his fellows, and was in the truest sense of the term a Liberal statesman. Mr Mackenzie further said that Mr McGowan’s death came very near to him (the Prime Minister). Up had been closely associated with the deceased gentleman in many ways, such as in various Royal Commissions in the House and at the Cabinet table. New Zealand, continued Mr Mackenzie, had never had a more warm-hearted and genuine man than Mr James McGowan. “The little Minister,’’ as his closer friends used to call him, will be greatly missed from the Legislature for many years to come, and I am sure he has not left one enemy behind him.