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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 December 1901, Page 2

ONE OF OUR GOVERNORS.

The death of Edward John Eyre, recorded in our cable columns to-day, closes a career of more than average interest. Mr Eyre was 86 years of age. From youth he exhibited an impatient spirit with a fixed determi nation to push ahead. The son of a clergyman, he was intended for the army, but after paying for a commission he found he would have 'to wait twelve months before getting into active service. Thereupon at 17 years of age he determined to seek his f rtunes in foreign parts and sailed for Australia, and was for a time engaged as sheep-farming. In South Australia he purchased property on the Lower Murray River, where he remained several years, having been appointed resident magistrate of his district, and protector of the Aborigines. In a work entitled " Discoveries in Central Australia," published in 1845, he earnestly pleads the cause of the wandering native tribes. In the meantime he distinguished himself as an Australian explorer of the then unknown shore, extending from 118 deg. to 134 deg. of east longitude between King George's Sound, in West Australia, and Port Lincoln, in Fouth Australia. In 1846 he wag appointed

Lieut-Governor of New Zealand, as second to tli9 Governor, Sir George Grey. Having served his full term as a colonial governor he returned to England in 1858, and was appointed Lieut-Governor of the island of St. Vincent, which post he hold for six years ; and in the year 1859 and 18G0 he was in the island of Antigua, filling the place of the Governor of the Leeward Islands, who was on leave of absence. In 1860 he was chosen to administer the Government-in-Chief of Jamaica and its dependencies during the absence of Governor Darling, who had returned to England on account of ill-health. In consequence of the non-return of Governor Darling, Mr Eyre was appointed CaptainGeneral and Govornor, General-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral of the Island of Jamaica, July 15, 1864; and an insurrection having broken out in October, 1865, he proclaimed martial law, and used very vigorous measures for its suppression. As a result, what was believed to be a dangerous insurrection was crushed. But his measures, more especially in the trial by court-martial, and condemnation to death of George William Gordon, a mulatto of property, excited much resentment among certain sections at homo, and a commission of inquiry was despatched to Jamaica, Governor Eyre being superseded, and Sir Henry Storks temporarily appointed in his place. The report of the committee published in June, 1866, exonerated Governor Eyre from the heavy charges brought against him, but he was recalled, and Sir P. Grant appointed his successor. Mr Eyre retired from the Public Service in 1874 upon pension as a retired Colonial Governor.