AN AUCKLAND TRIBUTE.

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

AN AUCKLAND TRIBUTE.

(SrECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") AUCKLAND. February 10. The ''Herald'- says:—"The death of the Hun. Wn4 Rolketon removes from our colonial life one of its most widely known and mo6t highly respected personalities." He was a standing representative of that fine class of pioneers who came to New Zealand not merely to improve their fortunes, but to take an earnest and conscientious pan in the founding; of a British. State. To hris adopted land he brouglht scholarly attainments, sterling qualifies, and an honoured name, and lie Las left behind him the memory of a citizen who devoted tke energies of "his prime and the experience of his age to the service of hds fellow colonists, and tke colony, of which he was proud. In educational affairs he was a most trustworthy guide, but he has left hie mark upon our iand policy, and upon every other phase of the legislation. Of the leaders of the Opposition against both the Ballance. and Seddon Administrations tliere are none who sat opposite to him who would hesitate to vouch for his liberality, hie patriotwm, and his graep of politics. In power or in opposition be was a leader of colonial thought, and in retirement and ill-health he did not c*ae* to have a> widespread influence in our colonial annals. Hβ will always have an honoured place as one of the worthiest of its great pioneer*."