NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 232, 9 October 1901, Page 3

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

DEATH OF .MRS BLAKE.

“ Calm on the bosom of thy God l-'air spirit rest tlice now, L'cn while with us thy foosteps trod llis stamp was on thy brow.” Since the sad telegrams of Saturday tho thoughts of the writer have been so full of personal and Council loss that it did not occur to her till this evening that, leaving the Lyttelton Times, whose columns were ever open to Mrs Blako’s versatile correspondence, to toll the story of her life and universally regretted death, she might contribute a few notos for Gisborne friends on the passing of a good woman. Mrs Blake was no ordinary woman. A childless wife, it seemod as if hor heart were large enough and olastio enough to embrace the whole human race. Brimming over with the love of humanity, with sympathy for every creature despired or oppressed, tolerant of and ready to lind excuse or extenuation for almost any short coming, she would pour forth her whole soul in rippling rivers of persuasive address, not uumixed with a certain quaint humour, which, combined with a few mannerisms (now, as mere memories, so sacred to her friends), rendered her a most popular public speaker. In Wellington on one occasion, the faces of a large audience, packed into Bellamy's, were full of amused pleasure as their owners focussed every effort and restrained every expression of approval in order not to lose a word, till she liad far exceeded the allotted time. “ Shall I stop her" whispered the President-. "No'■ ” But the speaker soon pulled herself up. j 1 have so much to tell you, and I forget, I you see. that there are others, who, perhaps, have much more." So it was in Dunedin last year; so in "Wanganui last May ; but can never be again. Mrs Blake read widely, assimilated rapidly, and was a good conversationalist. At Wanganui on an up-river excursion, she was to be seen ever and again with a coterie of men around her, reasoning in her own large hearted way of “ righteousness, temperance. and judgment to come.” On her return to Christchurch she had an attack of influenza. This settled on her lungs, and the united efforts of four doctors could not save her !fe. That her devoted husband has the sympathy of a large circle of friends goes without saying. AY ould that such sympathy might be extended to the National Council of Women, and many stirred up to help the cause she loved and served so well. YY'itii the exception of Mrs Bowuall, who lately died somewhat , suddenly at YY’augauui. and who only joined the Council as a delegate this year, Mrs Blake is the first of personnel of the National Council to be called home.