The Late Captain Stairs
Writing of the death of Capt. Stairs, who, we are informed, was surveying in the Danevirke district at •ne time, an English contemporary says: "Captain Stairs was colonial born, a native of 1 Halifax, Nova Scotia. He studied at the Military College oi Kingston, and after serving as a civil engineer in the back settlements ot New Zealand, obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers. Satnley showed a knowledge of men whenhf selected Lieutenant Stairs as one of his officers. In his book on ' Darkest Africa/ Mr Stanley bears high tribute to the good sense and judgment oi" his youngest lieutenant -Always cheerful', self-possessed, and prompt, he was equal to every emergency. Captain Stairs is best described in Mr Stanley's words : ' One ot those rare personalities, oftener visible among military men than among civilians, who could obey oruers without argument; without ado or hiss execute them religiously ; courageous, careful, watchful, diligent, and iaitbiuL' No more striking tribute could be paid to any man. Had j Captain Stairs lived, he must j have £ aiiied distinction in the army ; as it is, we have to lament his end in the flower oi his youth— a sacrifice to the demands of opening up the Lark Continent to civilisation."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS18920804.2.25
Bibliographic details
Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 20, 4 August 1892, Page 4
Word Count
209The Late Captain Stairs Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 20, 4 August 1892, Page 4
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