FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 677, 9 April 1875, Page 2

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1875.

No intelligence was evei’ before received in Clyde that caused such a sensation as when on Sunday evening last the telegraph wires flashed the news that his Honor Judge Gray had expired at noon that day at Lawrence. It was scarcely expected that Mr Wilson Gray would ever return to the scene of his official labors in this portion of the gold-fields, still it was hoped that when he had finished his business at Tuapeka, he might by taking rest somewhat recruit his f filing health, or at least that his life might have been prolonged for a few years longer. But such was not to be the case, and when he left Clyde ho gradually became worse and worse. The day was unfortunately stormy, and Mr Gray could not proceed further than the Teviot. Resting there from Tuesday until Thursday he endeavored to resume his journey, but only reached M'Leod’s at the Bengerbum It then became evident that he could travel no mote by coach, and he finished his ride to Lawienco in a buggy especially despatched for that occasion, occupying two days over it, arriving at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday the 23rd ultimo. Ho was then in a very weak state, and medical assistance, with the aid of a female nurse was at once scoured. Drs Halley and Stewart were unremitting in their attentions, but except composing the weakened system of their patient, their skill was of no avail. On the

following Wednesday, Mr Gray summoned up sufHcient. strength, as recorded in oltr last issuA, to hold Court at Lawren'Od. This whs his final official act on earth, as afterwards he steadily failed. Day by day, and hour by hour, he became weaker, until at length when the final moment came, ho yielded up his life to llim that gave it, with so much calmness and composure that it was almost difficult to say his spirit had taken its flight. Mr Wilson Gray at the time of Ins death was sixty-two years of age. TTe was born in the County of Mayo, Ireland, find was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated with high honors. lie was a’ distinguished scholar, and was gold medallist of the celebrated Historical Society of that University during his year. He was also admitted a member of the Irish Bar. With his brother, Sir John Gray, the Member for Limerick in the British Parliament, ho was engaged in the work ot journalism, as Editor of the Dublin Freeman’s Journal, which newspaper, in conjunction with his brother he was proprietor. He emigrated to Victoria in 1855, and was fellow passenger with the present Sir Charles Gavan Duffy, but they pursued different lines of politics, and when they became settled down in Melbourne, they were politically separated. Ever since his first landing in Australia, Mr Gray preserved an intimate and unbrokenfriendship with Mr G. E. Barton and Mr W. H M'Keay, his sole executor and this friendship was only concluded when death intervened. The popular cause never found a more enthusiastic advocate than in Mr Wilson Gray, and he made no end of self sacrifices for it, and while Law-reporter to the Argus, he resigned his appointment because that paper was opposed to the liberal measures he propounded. When the thousands assembled upon the gold fields began to cry out for the opening up of the lands for settlement, so that they might make themselves homes thereupon, Mr Gray, by the writing of twelve articles to the Melbourne Age, succeeded in drawing so much public attention to the affair that, the Land League was formed, and which afterwards resolved itself into the Convention. This organisation had its representatives assembled in Melbourne from every gold-field, and they held meetings, passed resolutions, and prepared their programme at the same time, as the Victorian Parliament held its Session. At this time the lands were all in the possession of the squatters, and from the date of the Convention must be calculated the dawn of a more liberal era in dealing with the public estate. The principles laid down by the Convention are pretty well the same as those now in operation in dealing with the lands all over Australia and New Zealand, a tax upon unoccupied lands excepted At the first general Election, and shortly afterwards the conventionists were elected to Pailiament. Mr Gray held a seat for Rodney, and Mr G. E. Barton, for North Melbourne, an influential combination was. thus formed , the two voted together, and their assistance was eagerly sought after by either side of the House. They voted for which ever side they could obtain the most in the direction of carrying out the principles they advocated. The Convention remain 3d strong and steadfast until such times as the protection agit ition divided its members, Mr Gray and Mr Barton being staunch free traders. In 1862 Mr Gray came over to Dunedin, when he joined in business with Mr Barton. In 1865 he was appointed District Judge of the Otago gold-fields which office he continued to hold until he had scarcely three days to live, and the sequel has already been told of, bow nobly be did his duty. It is to he hoped that some provision will be made by the Government for Mr Gray’s relatives upon whom the sun of fortune is not smiling—as when the few legacies willed by him are paid, his wife and son, now living at Detroit, Michigan, U.S. A., and his sister, with her young family, now living in Dunedin, will scarcely receive anything. Of course, Mr Gray will be entitled to either one or two years’ salary as provided by the Civil Service Act, but in addition to this, let us hope that the people may make some spontaneous offering in the shape, we will say, a monument, if nothing else, to the memory of one, who, at, an earlier period of his life, had sacrificed so much on their account.

In liis dying moments he found religious consolation at tho hands of the Eev. Mr Beaumont, an esteemed friend and countryman, and pastor of the Episcopalian Church, Lawrence. But, the comforting solaces of religion he scarcely needed; his life was a religion in itself, and in losing him we lost one of the greatest friends the people ever had. May the record of his good life ever dwell in our memories.

Mr. George Fache will sell this day a first class mob of Dairy Cattle, in calf and with calves at foot, together with one Bull (well bred) and a quantity of young stock. Tho sale will take place at Marsh’s Yards, Cromwell, at 2 o’clock.

We have been requested to state on behalf of tho Alexandra School Committee that, Mr & Mrs Rice have arrived, and that they took charge of the above School on Monday the sth inst. We (Daily Times are informed that Mr. •T. P Armstrong, M.P.C , has been requested to allow himself to bo nominated for the representation of tho Wakouaiti district in the General assembly.

In the Warden’sCourt Clyde on Thursday last, yesterday Mr. John Lawson applied for a claim in Connew’s Gully, immediately below that being worked by Mr. Wilde, The application was granted, subject to the reservation of a right for a tail-race, if at anytime the same should be required. it has been suggested to us by a number of Gontlenieii in the town that a Quadrille Assembly should be formed for the purpose of keeping up our usual fortnightly dance. The services of “Our Band” have boon hitherto recognized, and we hope that it will, not bo for the want of a little energy on the part of those who have hitherto enjoyed their services, to allow the same to languish. We suggest that some of the gentlemen refered to will, at the earliest opportunity, Call a meeting for the purpose of discussing the “ways and moans” for the carrying out of the ensuing winter’s amusement. “Big apples” have lately been the only things to report in the way of novelties, but we have now the pleasure to state that potatoes of an unusual weight are now being unearthed by Mr. Duncan Eoheitson ot the Manuherikia, Some of which have come to hand, weighing 21hs each and over. They arc of the Ash Leaf kind, which have always in this dis v r'ct'‘provod to have been very prolific. We are glad to state that the grower has some few acres of the same sort. News from the Bendigo Reefs is still of the most cheerful character, the newly-dis-covered reefs running parallel with the Cromwell Company’s claims show unmistakable evidence of permanency. From the claim known as Jones’ first-class stone is being raised, and the reef has widened out to 18 inches. Other claims in the locality show equally as well. From the Cromwell Company’s No. 2 Lease magnificent stone—estimated to yield fully a pound weight of gold to the ton—is being raised. Another fresh discovery is reported somewhere in the neighborhood of the Alta Company’s ground, several parcels of stone have been broken from the reef the whole being thickly impregnated with gold.—Communicated. The New Zealand ma~e “Calumny” has been put up for sale by public auction in Melbourne since her winning of several largo stakes, £o()0 only being offered for her and not being up to the reserve, she was withdrawn. A Cow, the property of Mr. Treriae, Bine Spur, gave birth to three calves this week, One of the triplets died shortly after, hut the remaining two are strong and healthy, This late addition to the bovine race is something extraordinary, the cow having given birth to four calves within twelve months.—Tnapeka Times. The Provincial Government Gazette notifies that the forthcomfng sitting of the Provincial Council is called for Monday, the 3rd day of May next, at noon. We have to acknowledge receipt o F a pamphlet entitled “The Finances of New Zealand” by the Hon Julius Yogel, Premier of the New Zealand Government, being a refutation of the articles by Mr. Charles Fellows written under the nom de plume of Master Humphrey, attacking the New Zealand Government and puplished in Frazer's Magazine, London.