THE LATE HON. W. ROLLESTON.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11507, 13 February 1903, Page 5

THE LATE HON. W. ROLLESTON.

FURTHER TRIBUTES

Mr F. Waymouth, who presided at the complimentary social tendered to Mr George Witty at the Canterbury Hall yesterday evening, said that there had been an unfortunate loss to the colony within the last few days, by the death of the Hon. William Rolleston, and he could not, he thought, as Chairman of the meeting, refrain from saying how deeply all Canterbury felt the loss that had been eufltained in the death of the Hon. William Rolleston. In saying that he thought it was peculiarly touching that he should have to do sb on an occasion when they had met to honour and congratulate Mr Witty, who was practically Mr Rolleston's successor, as the Riccarton representative Hβ could not say words which would express his feelings with regard to the late Hon. William Rolleeton. He bad spent nearly 30 years in Canterbury, and he could not but realise as an ordinary business man what the worth of Mr Rolleston was to the community. He would aek the audience to rise while he proposed the resolution:—"That a letter of sympathy be written to the family of the late Hon. W. Rolleston, expressing the high appreciation we have of him as a publio man, ana his werth as a Canterbury resident."

The audience rose, and the motion was put and carried. Subsequently Mr T. E. Taylor, in the course of his address, said it was distinctly wholesome to meet a man like Mr Rolleston, who, during his public career, had had ample opportunities to steal, but who never took anything from the public. Alter many years, when the memory of our public men had passed away, the name of William Rolleston would be enshrined in the memories of all thinking people in the colony. Mr G. Witty, M.H.R., eaid that he hoped the people of Canterbury would, before long, erect a memorial to his .memory, that would last for years, after those present had gone. Mr Rolleston had been a father to New Zealand, and his had been one of the best guiding hands that the country ever had. " The Press " had paid Mr Rolleston a high tribute tue other day when it said that he was a clean-handed politician. They might have eaid that he was a clean-lived man, and one who had never done wrong, for he wae one of the best and straightest men that had ever occupied a> publio position in New Zealand. The Mayor of Linwood. speaking at the Borough Council meeting last night, referred to the death of the late Hon. W. Rolleston, who, he eaid, wa» one of the greatest statesmen the colony bad seen, and moved a hearty vote of condolence with his family. The vote wan carried, the Council standing. Cr. Jamieson then proposed that it be a recommendation that in future the East Belt be known as "Rolleston Avenue." Or. Brunt said that considering Mr Rolleston had so long, ac their representative, born the heat and burden of the day, it would be a small tribute to adopt the recommendation. Or. Seed was objecting, when, on the Mayor's suggestion, the question was adjourned until tbo next meeting.

Mr G. A. C. Fardy, M.H.R., and ilr H. Peryman represented the North Canterbury Education Board at Mr Rolleston's funeral on Wednesday, the former aa Chairman, and J:he latter us the oldeat incmbsr of theTJoard. The Hon. W. Montgomery, Mr W. H. Montgomery, Mr J. P»lincr, and Mr F. K. Wright were also present.