LATE SIR HENRY BRETT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1927, Page 4

LATE SIR HENRY BRETT

A \![:'lu!:!Ai, SFnrTCE. AITKr.AXD. February 7. Fooling reference to the late Si:' Henry lirott and tributes to bis services to Auckland were made by Archbishop Averill at a memorial service at St .Mary's Cathedral last evening. “ AVe are thanking Ood to-night for the life and service of Henry lirettj’ the Primate said. “ It is well for us in Auckland to romemher that wo owe a debt of gratitude to him. not merely for what he did but for what lie was. Whether we are conscious of this fact or not this city is all the richer for the ideals and character of Henry Hrett. Xo city can possibly have a greater asset than the character of its

public men, and the real greatness of any city, country or empire depends tar more on its high-sou led and pub-lic-spirited men than upon its environment. however beautiful, or its commerce however .successful. “ Perhaps the world would not lie in such a state of turmoil and unrest to-dav if Hie nations would only realise that greatness is not the outcome ol power to exploit, or the right ol selfdetermination or sell-interest, or cten of material progress, but of the will and capacity to serve. Perhaps there would be far less industrial strife it Christ and the spirit!, of service were more universally recognised and obeyed.

"Sir Henry llrett has made a greater conlribiition than most men to the Inio ideals of citizenship, brotherhood tad Kmpirc stability because bis life was based upon the principle of service. He lias been one of Auckland s jrreat men and leit behind him 1111 honoured name, a man whose cbaiatter contributed much to the power in the world making lor righteousness. He attained to a high position m the community because be was a man ol fine determination, perseverance. Ins'll ideals, honour, kindness, generosity and loyalty. Vet perhaps one of the greatest lessons of bis life is the fact that though be was so suceessiul as a business man and so closely associated with the business side ol life be never lost bis soul iu the multitude of bis material interests. “His whole life and Ids keen interest in higher tilings, in the ivsthetic and beautiful, in the social and materia! uplift of men. iu the care of the orphans and the dt statute Generally, ill ■ b,, suiritoal. all these are witness to the fact that lie bad a sense of duty to Cod and bis fellow-citizen^.’’ In conclusion the Archbishop referred to the honour of knighthood conferred upon Sir Hcnrv in biter life I and which be said was richly deserved. ' At ilit* conclusion of the service the large congregation stood in silenco while the “ Dead March ” was played j