A TRIBUTE TO HOH. J. CARROLL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 117, 28 May 1901, Page 3

A TRIBUTE TO HOH. J. CARROLL.

(Special to Times.) 1 Auckland, last night. - A well-known ex-Gisbornite writes the following for the Star : The Hon. James ■ Carroll, M.H.R. (“ Timi Kara,” as the : Maoris call him), is a conspicuous example of talents inherent in the native people, as a very successful “ blend ” which results from the commingling of the two races. Mr Carroll is a half-caste, and no more striking instance of the possibilities before the Europeanised offshoot of the Polynesian race can be cited than the gifted young statesman and orator “ Timi Kara.” His physical qualifications are on a par with his mental possessions, and the two combine to mark him out as a man far above the common. He is about the best looking man in the New Zealand Legislature. He is certainly the best speaker in Parliament. Like the korimako, the sweetest siuging bird of his native forest, “ Timi Kara ” is endowed with the most mellifluous of voices, the heritage of his mother’s people. A well-educated, polished gentleman, with a command of pure and Uuent English, he is as far above the ruck of political stump orators as can well bo imagined, and both in the English and Maori tongues he is a pleasure to listen to. Mr Carroll is' at present Minister for Native Affairs in the New Zealand Cabinet, a position which he fills well, and he has the happy knack of getting through the multitudinous tasks of his elevated and responsible office with a celerity and despatch which are the envy of his less brilliant colleagues. The hon. “ Timi Kara ” is 44 years of age this year, having been born at Te Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, on August 20, 1857. His father was Mr Joseph Carroll, an early settler and trader. His mother was a Maori lady of tho Ngatikahungunu tribe. Mr Carroll had some adventurous times in his early youth, for when a boy he went on the war path with 'his tribe, who, under Major llopata, of the Ngat-iporou tribe, fought for the mana of the White Queen against To Kooti and his wild rebel Hauhaus. In 1870, or thereabouts, he took part in one of the expeditions around the Lake of Waikarcinoana, where he saw some service, and won the New Zealand war medal.