DEATH OF MR CECIL RHODES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 377, 29 March 1902, Page 2

DEATH OF MR CECIL RHODES.

“ SO LITTLE DONE—SO MUCH TO DO.!’ DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 26. Obituary : Mr Cecil Rhodes. Received 12.37 p.m., March 2S. London, March 27.

Mr Rhodes slept quietly through the morning and afternoon. His breathing at 5 o’clock became difficult. He was conscious for a few minutes, and muttered faintly, farewelling his brother Major Elmhurst Rhodes, and others at the bedside. Death, quiet and painless, came at 6 o’clock. It was due to extreme weakness, resulting from two attacks of heart failure. The admirers in London of the late Mr Rhodes are preparing to hold a memorial service at Westminster Abbey. The funeral of the late Mr Rhodes will take place at Capetown on "Wednesday. It is reported that Mr Rhodes left large provision for the development of Rhodesia and completion of his Cape-to-Cairo projects. Continental newspapers consider that the death will immensely affect Great Britain’s future in South Africa.

Dr Jameson conveys Mr Rhodes’ body for interment in the Matoppos. Amongst Mr Rhodes’ last words were: “So little done—so much to do.”

The London Stock Exchange is not affected by the death.

Mr Rhodes wished to bo buried on the Matoppo hills. Sir Gordon Sprigg, Cape Premier, decided on a public funeral, with a service at Capetown Cathedral. Warm tributes from the newspapers are given to the empire-buildor, whoso great ideal was in regarding his fortune as a sacred trust for others. There is widespread regret. It is recognised that the death will not materially affect South African enterprise, inasmuch as the broad line of imperialistic policy is firmly laid. The pro-Boer verdict on the Continent is that Mr Rhodes was a good sower, but not destined to reap the harvest.

Some writers on the Continent are virulent in their comments.

BEQUESTS TO CHARITIES,

MOURNING AND MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 28. Tho late Mr Rhodes has bequeathed Grootchur to the people of Capetown and large sums to charities. A post mortem disclosed extensive aneurism of tho heart. A State funeral will be given the remains. There are signs of mourning in the chief centres of South Africa. Resolutions of condolence have been carried by the public bodies. A memorial servico will bo held in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Members of the Stock Exchango sent cables to South Africa, expressing a sense of the Empire’s loss, and the conviction that Mr Rhodes cannot bo replaced.