DEATH OF THE PREMIER.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 133, 29 April 1893, Page 2

DEATH OF THE PREMIER.

\ The news of the demise of the Premier $ has been the principal topic of con versa- j| ition in town since last Thursday; and ex- 1 pressions of regret are heard on all sides jj at Mr Ballauce's untimely death. $ (FEB FBESB ASSOCIATION.) & Wellington, April 27. The Hon. John Ballance, Premier, died at his residence, Tinakori road, at 19 minutes past 6 o'clock this evening, retat 54 years and one month. During the latter part of last session, Mr Ballance became indisposed, suffering from an internal complaint, and he had been in indifferent health ever since. Recently he visited Wanganui, and the trip was reported -to have had a beneficial effect, but on his return here the old complaint re-appeared, and he had several relapses, A fortnight ago he was sufficiently well to make a trip round the harbor in the Government steam launch, the Ellen Ballance, but a day or two later he had a severe relapse, and on Sunday last, the intestinal obstruction having become more acute, and all other means having been tried without success, it was absolutely necessary to afford the patient relief by an operation. The operation was successfully performed on Sunday last by Drs Cleghorn, Henry, and Fell, and Mr Ballance felt immediate relief. Since Saturday, however, Mr Ballance had been unable to partake of any food, and yesterday champagne was injected and gave temporary relief. The patient's weakened constitution gave the utmost anxiety to his friends, and this morning a decided change for the worse took place, and at 1.45 p.m. his medical advisers gave np all hope and intimated that the end was not far off. During the afternoon Mr Ballance became unconscious, and remained so till death intervened. Among those around the death-bed were Mrs Ballance, two of her sisters, and her brother, and Sir Robert Stout, Sir Patrick Buckley, Hons. Cndman, Seddon, Reeves, and McKenzie, Doctors Henry, Cleghorn, and Fell, and Mr A. M. Smith, private secretary. THE LATE Mil BALLANCE'S CAREER. Mr Ballance was born at denary, County Antrim, Ireland, on March 27th, 1889, his father, Samuel Ballance, being a tenant farmer on Lord Hertford's estate. He received bis preliminary education at the national school, bnt at the age of 14 years he left his father's farm to be apprenticed to an ironmonger. This line of life took him later on to Birmingham, where he remained eight years, profiting in every way by tho intellectual pro gressive life of th% great manufacturing centre. While following his business he found time to atteiiaTlhe evening classes in the Midland Institute for the purpose of completing his education. Earnestly bent on self culture, he took part in debating societies and contributed largely to the press. At the age of 27 he determined to emigrate, and sailing for New Zealand he landed at Wellington in August, 1866. He at once proceeded to Wanganui with the intention of engaging in sheepfarming, an occupation which he had been led to believe was an easy way of making money without much capital.. On this point he was soon undeceived, and he then opened a jeweller's shop, but losing money in his enterprise promptly abandoned it and started tbe Wanganui Herald. Of this paper Mr Ballance was both proprietor and editor, establishing a reputation for public spirit in that paper which few New Zealacd journals can claim. Mr Ballance soon achieved a reputation as an able and incisive writer, but it was not till he had surprised a Wanganui meeting by an unlooked for speech that his qualities as a public speaker became appreciated. He contested the Egmont seat in 1876 in the interests of the Stafford Ministry, his opponent bemg the late Sir Harry Atkiusou. Although considered by his frionds practically safe, he exhibited tbat unselfishness so characteristic of him by retiring in fayor of the latter on receiving a pledge of support from Sir Edward Stafford. He was elected for Rangitikei m 1875 ou the abolition of the provinces ticket, haying taken for many years a prominent part in local politics in opposition to the provincial system then in exis tance. He marked his first session by introducing a bill to enable municipalities to raise loans by a vote of the ratepayers on security of a special rate without the necessity "of permissory legislation. In each case this important measure passed tho House of Representatives, but was rejected in the Legislative Council, by 8 narrow majority, but in the following session it was embodied in the Municipal Corporations Bill by Sir Julius Yogel, whe freely acknowledged his indebtedness to the author of the scheme in the session of 1877. Mr Ballance moved an amendment to the Native Laud Court Bill against free trade in native lands, and the Bill was ultimately withdrawn by Government. Shortly after the termination of the sessiou M r Ballance accepted the post of Miuister of Education in January, 1878, which he exchanged for that of Colonel Treasurer in July of the same year, but in June, 1879, he resigned rather than comply with what be regarded as the arbitrary methods of the Premier at the general election. In the same year he stood for Wanganui with Mr Bryce, and they defeated Sir Wm Fox at the general election. In 1881 he was de Feated for Wauganui by Mr W. H. Watt ■by the narrow majority of four, his supporters being too confident ; but he was again returned in 1884 by a majority oi two to one over Messrs G. Hutchison and W. H. Watt. . In 1884 by a large majority oyer Mr Carson, and in 1890 by a small majority over the same opponent. In September, 1884, Mr Ballance joined tbe Stout Yogeladministration ap Native Minister and Minister of Defence and Lands, and retained office till the retire ment of that Ministry in 18S9. In the following year he was chosen loader of tho Opposition, aud in January. 1891 he became Premier. Colonial Treasnrer, and Commissioner of Customs. As Colonial Treasurer m 1888 he introduced a land tax and carried it into law in the StoufrYogel Ministry. Mr Ballance introduced the special settlement system. As defence Minister he fortified the principal ports and organised the Permaneut Militia. As Native Minister he succeeded in bringing about a better understanding between the two race than had existed for rears, especially in the King Country, while his policy in connection with the West Coast confirmed lease question promises to settle one of the most knotty questions of our time. Mr Ballance was twice married. His first wife and child dying in 1867. while in 1870 he married Ellen, daughter of the late David Anderson, of Wellington. He has a brother iv tho colony, while Mr MoKnight, of Palmerston North, manager of the Loan and Mercantile, is his nephew.