The Feilding Star. SATURDAY. APRIL 29, 1893. The Late Honourable John Ballance

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

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY. APRIL 29, 1893. The Late Honourable John Ballance

The death of the Honourable John Ballance will bo mourned by the whole colony. He was a faithful servant of the people, and, according to the light that was in him, he worked diligently I for their good. He Mas entirely unselfish, and during the whole of his political career his most bitter opponents never found an opportunity of charging him with self aggrandizement. Of his qualities as a statesman they are enumerated in the brief obituary and biographical notice we ' publish in another part of the paper. We can ill afford to lose such men, yet death has been within the last few years, garnering from those we have become accustomed to look up to as our leaders, the ablest and the best. Sir Harry Atkinson, then Mr D. H. Macarthur, and now the Honourable John Ballance, all taken when their intellectual powers were at their strong- ! est, and when their knowledge and experience in the management and control of public affairs were likely to be of the greatest benefit to their fellow colonists. As a private gentleman the late Mr Ballance numbered even those who differed with him in politics as his frienas, who were charmed j by his invariab'e suavity of manner. ; His courtesy to all with whom he came in contact was a pleasant trait in his character, and maiy will remember when they think of him his kindly words to them, dictated by a warm and feeling heart. In their bereavement we sympathise with his discon- J solate widow and his mourning rela- \ tions, and we now offer with feelings of the most profound sorrow our last tribute of respect to one who has deserved well of his country.