LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S TRIBUTE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1864, 25 September 1913, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S TRIBUTE.

GLOWING EULOGIES. COUNCIL AND COUNTRY'S LOSS. After u twonty-fivo minutes' sitting tlio Legislative Council paid respect to the lato Sir' William Russell's memory bv adjourning till Friday afternoon. : Tlio Hon. H. D. Bell asked the leave of the Council to movo that tlio Council do, at its rising, adjourn out of respect for the memory ot the late Sir 'William Russell until 2.30 p.m. on Friday. Then ho would movo a motion similar to a motion being moved in another place, to tho effect that tha Council record its liigh sense of appro; ciation of tho . distinguished services rendered to New Zealand by. Sir William Russell, and tender to his widow and family its assuranco'of sincere sympathy with thein in their bereavement. "I am speaking, Sir," ho said, "of a man who only the other day began what all hoped would be' a new useful Parliamentary career, a fitting end to his long public service; and wo still have a memory, every ono of us, of tho lvelcomo which his' advent here had from all men of all parties in both Houses. After tho custom of Parliament in such matters I take permission first to refer to somo of his career." Mr. Bell then briefly traced Sir William Russell's career. Coming to tho occasion, of his knighthood, ho said: "At tho instance of his opponents and with tho common' consent of both parties and all the peoplo ho received tho distinction of knighthood in 1902, and- he was called to this Council in tho present year. I hope tho Council will pardon mo for not adequately expressing tho sense that members have of that long and honoured public life because it is true with myself that the sense of personal loss and of porsonal sorrow is practically overwhelming. I have known him practically all my life. I knew liiin as a child—when I was a child in Auckland, and ho -was a mere boy. I have been honoured by a personal friendship with him for more years than I can now count, and it is with the man that my memory bears now and not with tho public servant. All those who served with him in public life, and those who were his opponents, know that his career was almost unique in this respect—that his friends had 110 higher admiration and Tcspect for him than his opponents." (Hoar, j hoar.)

His Distinguishing Mark. Ho conducted political matters, Sir. Bell continued, by tho rule of his private life, with that chivalrousness Which was his distinguishing mark. Those of his own honoured friends and near kin had that most proud and precious possession—tho memory of a long and honoured public and private life spent in tho service of the State and for' tho advancement of . every friend that ho had. Mr. Bell said that he moved the motion with a full knowledge that there had been no case where Biieli a motion had beon 'moved in either House whore those who listened and those who voted were in greater unanimity, or where the words so often spoken in eulogy of the dead were so unanimously agreed with, for Sir William Russell was a man who mado no enemy. And when they had such . a career of private life and public servico they almost forgot tliat he was always a gallant soldier, proud of his. profession. Ho was a typical colonist, who preserved his honour with dignity. "I have no more to say," concluded Mr. Bell, "but. to commend this motion to the Council."

Overwhelmed with Sorrow. "I feel so overwhelmed with feelings of sorrow and regret that I don't feel equal to tho occasion," said the Hon. J. D. Ormond. It was, 110 continued, with feelings of extreme regret and sorrow that he seconded the motion. The loss tho Council and tho Dominion had sustained was deeply folt, not only by the Council, but by tho whole community. Tho. Council especially felt that it had lost tho counsel of a man who was singularly fitted to be of great value to the Chamber. His special qualifications, fairness of mind, and moderation eminently fitted him for a leading position ill the Council, and such was sure to liavo been attained by him had lie lived. However, ho was gone, and the Council had had him for only a littlo while. Ho had filled his position with honour to himself and in a way which had sccured him tho goodwill and the esteem of tho pooplo of tho Dominion, bv whom his loss was deplored. Mr. Ormond wish-

Ed to express his own deep grief at tlio loss of a personal friend, a grief which _ would ho shared by many. Speaking as a resident of Hawko's Bay ho said that the loss of Sir William Russell would bo deeply deplored by the whole community, tho community which, perhaps, know him best; and tfhat community's tribute to him would bo tho expression that they had lost a man who had won their esteem and respect. More could not bo said of any man, and it would bo a solace to his kin. Other Speakers. | "The loss of our illustrious friend," was doplored by Hon. Captain. W. D. H. Baillic, who had known tho Into Sir I William Russell eyor since his arrival in Auckland. He took always a wide and liberal view of things, tho Hon. T. Kelly said. Ho was a good politician and a pood man, and all regretted tho loss of a colleague tlioy had hoped to sco for years to come. Hon. C. H. Mills, who had long been politically associated with tho late Sir William Russell, said that ho had learned to respect him, and lie now deeply deplored his loss. Hie motion was carried, and at 2.55 p.m. tho Council roso till 2.30 p.m. on Friday. THE FUNERAL. The Hon. H. D. Bell will represent tho Ministry at the funeral, which will take place from tho Napior Cathedral at 2 p.m. to-day. The Hon. J. D. Ormond, Sir Waltor Buchanan, and Mr. G. Hunter will accompany Mr. Bell. Captain Shawo, A.D.C., will represent His Excellency tho Governor at tho obsequies. They left Wellington yesterday afternoon by the 4.15 p.m. train to Palmerston, and will bo conveyed to Napier by special train, as the ordinary train would not arrive in time for tho service at 2 p.m. After the funeral they will leave Napier by train .arriving at Palmerston tho same night, and returning to Wellington by tho early train to-morrow. A West Coast Trlbuto. (By Telegraph—Prces Association.) Westport, September 24. At tho Harbour Board Commission today Mr. Maginnity made ( touching reference to the death of Sir William Russell. He said that when tho history of tho Dominion came to,bo written up the namo of tho deceased statesman would appear with credit and appreciation. Tho chairman of th'o commission ondorsed tho remarks of Mr. Maginnity, and said: "We shall all honour his memory."