THE LATE HON. W. ROLLESTON.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11505, 11 February 1903, Page 8

THE LATE HON. W. ROLLESTON.

TRIBUTE BY THE DOMAIN BOARD. At the meeting of the Domain Board yesterday Xne Chairman said that he felt sure it was with the deepest regret that they had seen the previous day that their old member, the Hon. Wm. "Rolleston, had passed away. He (the chairman) had been associated with the late Mr Rolleston in many ways—in the Provincial Council; as his Deputy -Superintendent in 1869; in the General Assembly- and on that Board. They had also been personal friends for many fc-eare. Mr Rolleston had always taken the greatest possible interest in the Domain, and had shown- this in a. most practical manner when the Domain was under the Provincial Government, and not an independent body. There wae no doubt that in the olddaya the Domain owed much to the Provincial' Government, and it wae in that respect that Air Rolleeton had rendered Buch valuable service and help. Hi 3 death was a great loss not alone to Canterbury, but aleo to the colony, as in the passing away of Mr Rolleston New Zealand had lost a good statesman and Canterbury a sterling public man. He had brought only the most necessary business before the Board that day, and now moved—"That the Board adjourn as a mark of respect to the memory of the Hon. Wm. Rolleeton, and that a, letter expressing the deepest sympathy of the Board in their bereavement be sent to the widow and family." Hon. C. C. Bowen seconded the motion, end eaid that there was no doubt they would feel very deeply the loss of the Hon. Wm. Rolleston, not "only as a member of the Board, but as a colonist of Canterbury and New Zealand. Mr H. G. Ell, M.H.R., said he desired, as a young member of the Board, and as representing the younger generation, to add his testimony to the worth and sterling qualities of the late Hon. W. Rolleeton. He (Mr Ell) had differed from him on political questions, but lie could not but feel that in all Mr Rol!eeton did he was actuated by the greatest sincerity and a desire to do the best he could for the benefit of the colony. The younger generation, he thought, should always remember and cherish affectionately the memory of the Hon. Wm. Rolleston, as one who had done his utmost in the direction of promoting education, and for his forethought in preserving for those who are now living here and those who come after them, the grand reserves which the founders of Canterbury had made. It was due to the ■foresight of the Hon. W. Rolleston that they had the reserves on the Port Hills nnd the ronds giving access to them. Mr Rolleeton had always urged the making of more reserves, and saw that the city would extend, and that ultimately the sanatorium would be the Port Hill*. They in Canterbury all owed him a deep debt of gratitude, and he would live long in their grateful memory. The motion was then put and carried, the members standing.