GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2324, 15 September 1881, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF BEPBESENTATIVES. MOENING SITTING. Thtjbbday, September 15. The House met at 11 a.m. DEATH OF MB MOOBHOTJSE. Immediately after prayers, The Hon. J. Hai.li, who spoke with considerable emotion, said :—Sir, sinco we last met an event has occurred which will occasion great sorrow, not only in this House, but also throughout the whole of New Zealand. There has passed away from amongst us one of tho most popular and one of the most distinguished men of this colony, Mr Moorhouse. Mr Moorhouse was amongst the earliest settlers in Canterbury, and he was amongst the first to take an important part in the publicjlife of the oolcny. A man possessed of vast natural ability and generosity of disposition, ho was early placed in a position of trust and responsibility by his fellow settlers in the portion of the colony to which he belonged. For many years he filled the office of Superintendent of the large and populous provicce of Canterbury, and his name has been inseparably associated with the important events in the history of that place, and in the history of its progress and prosperity. Mr William Befton Moorhouse was one of the first elected members of the House of Representative!!, and is one who will be long remembered in this House for his many virtues, and who will long be remembered for his long and able public services. In the death of Mr Moorhouse we have lost a public man, one whoso plaoe will not be readily filled up, and whose name will occupy a lasting place in the hearts of the people. I feel that I am quite unable to say more; I feel myself wholly at a loss how to express my feelinas on this occasion. As a mark of respect to the memory of tho deceased, I will move, —" That- this House adjourn until this evening at 7.30." I understand that it was the wish of tho deceased that his remains should be interred in Canterbury, and with the view of giving effect to that wish Government has determined upon placing the Government steamer at the disposal of his friends for the purpose. I now propose the House do adjourn till this evening, and I shall also take care that the members will be afforded an opportunity of attending tho procession from the dcoeased's house down to the steamer.

Sir G. Gees' said—Sir, I rise to second the motion. There are occasions when it is intended to pay a compliment to some persons who are so little known that they require explanation, but on the present. occ»e : on that is quite unnecessary. Mr Moorhouse was one of the first, colonists of New Zealand to teach his fellow men to rely upon their own resources, and to show what groat things might be accomplished by energy and self-reliance. Ho applied his mind to that, and he successfully carried out, perhaps, one of the most important works that has over been executed in New Zealand. In that way he gave an example not only to the province of Canterbury, but to the whole colony. By his generosity and dovotion in all these respects he has established a claim to our gratitude and remembrance. This House, on a previous occasion, did its utmost during the life of Mr Moorhcuso to show itself grateful for the services of that gentleman, and now I trust we shall pay this last tribute of respect without one dissentient voice, and show courtesy to tho memory of the gentleman whom we all respected. Mr Macandbew —I will only add one w.ird to what has been said. Not only has the colony lost one of the most prominent men, but I have lost in the death of Mr Moorhouse, a sincere and trusted friend, one with whom I have been associated for a period of thirty years. As the Premier stated, Mr Moorhouse and myself were tho only two membors of the present House who occupied seats in tho first Parliament, in the session of 1854. Of his public character and actions, it is quite unnecessary that I should speak. In his deeds he has loft a monument behind him which will perpetuate his memory as long as Now Zealand endures. The motion was then agreed to, and the House rose.