THE LAST OF MR. DILLON IN CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 38, 10 January 1890, Page 29

THE LAST OF MR. DILLON IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Osr Christmas Eve Mr. John Dillon took his farewell of Chrietchurch. He arrived at Lytteltou in tbe morning, and proceeied quietly up to town, where be became the guest of Mr. McNatnua for the day. Having rented for a short time, he was accompanied by Mr. O'Connor and Mr. McSainara to tbe Museum. Like most visitors to Christohnrob, Mr. Dillon was surprised and pleased at the extensive suien- | tine collection which the late Sir Julius von Hiast succeeled in patberiDg within 'he walls of this institution. The Auckland museum, ha eairi, was lir.her in the possession of Maori curios, but for the seientibt the collection in the Chris ciurcb museum was tbe most Interesting in this part of the world. After luncheon, the party visited Mr. Matron's ostrich farm, tbe old Provincial Council buildings, and the Hospital. With tbe grounds around tbe Hospital Mr. Dillon was very much pleased. Tbe great glories of Ohristchurch — the winding Avon and its beautif jI willows, oame in for a large share of admiration from the Delegate, who retnrned fiom his drive around Fendalton and Papaaui witn a much belter opinion of the beauties of Obristohurch than he had before. Daring the day he chatted pleasantly about many things and expressed entire satisfaction at the success of bis mission in New Z saUnd. Amongst the colonial Irish, be said that hi thought the national spirit was quite at ttrong as amongst those who ara Irisi bara. Tae greatness of soul possessed by Jjim Dillon was nude very apparent in a few casual reference* wmch he madi to Biifour. To toe cruel oppressor of Ireland and the bitter persecutor of the National L iague be gave tbe full mcci of praise du j to his anuteaess, tact, and g^oeral cleverness. Anyone who heard Mr. Dillon describe the Irish Secretary must have said, " This is a moat generous enemy." There is not a trace of pettiness in the mau's whole character. There is perhaps, no great merit in doing justice to tbe q talities of one's friends, but a man who can be s > geoeroui to a relentless enemy as Mr. Dillon waa to B .lf<ur, certainly earns the comprehensive Scriptural eulogium of being a "just man." By tbe half-past seven train in the evening Mr. Dillon left Christchnroh andjwas accompanied toLytteltoa by Messrs McNamara and O'Connor. There be was received by F tther Laverty, wbo saw him on board of tbe Penguin about nine o'clock. 80 Christchutcb has seen tbe lasc of tnis grmd-souled, devoted patriot, and most polished and true-hearted Irish gentleman. In all probtbility it will be long before we look upon his like again. Men of the knightly stamp of J )ha Dillon are not often now turned out of nature's mould. Many cf those who heard him here will probably never agaio behold bid dark, fine f use anl maj antic form, but it is to be boptd ihht they will not forget him. Those who are bis opponents, while they remember him, cannot well forget that a true Irish gentleman is about the best specimm of the human race. His own people when they remember him will have ever before their mind's eye a peifect model of what an Irishman o^ght to be. If Irisb people here and elsewhere would only treasure bis memory and try to be true to the standard of honour and fidelity to principle which he so of ten and soekquently advocated m his speeches and so splendidly illustrated by his own example, then the visit of Mr. Dillon to this side of the world would be productive of more lasting and more far-reaching good to the Irish cause than even the subscriptions of thousand of pounds to the National fund, if every pound cf it were multiplied a hundred-fold.