The Late Sir Harry Atkinson.

Manawatu Herald, 2 July 1892, Page 2

The Late Sir Harry Atkinson.

In the Legislative donncil, meiition was made- of the sad and sudden death of Sir Harry Atkinson.

The Hon, the Colonial Secretary said "to say anything in regard to the good qualities of the deceased would be to express what they all knew. All gnus& admit that ' Sir Harry Atriipm was a distinguished man in^%ry sense of the wordf as a soldier sand a statesman, and by his deatl^New Zealand suffered a loss of a national character. Those who knew Sir Harry Atkinson better than he (the speaker) did, would probably have some thing to say on this sad occasion ; his own recollections of Sir Harry had been of the pleasantest character."

The Hon E. Stevens said "in face of the sad event, it would be impossible, to undertake the consideration of business that afternoon with a degree af cool deliberation. He would like to say how deeply he regretted the loss of his old friend and colleague,. that; distinguished public • man and admirable citizen, Sir" Harry Atkinson . He believed there „ could not be found in the annals' bif J ; our. political history a better example , of the abnegation of self and of*'' capacity and tireless industry in the promotion of the public interest."' 1 ' :Lii

The Hon Dr Pollen said " the loss he felt by the death of his dear friend and colleague, Sir Harry Atkinson,, was too ..^eep fp& expression in words. The name^or one who had so devoted himself:, to the service of the Colony would* ndfr* r be forgotten as long a* the public ... records existed. (Hear; hear,) : ' ! AU "-' that he (the speaker) dared to do on this occassion was to express : the great sorrow he felt personally, and his great regret at the Colony losing' »'■'* one of its most eminent men."

The Hon R. Oliver said " I oan only say that'from my heart of hearts I lament the loss the .Colony has sustained in the death of a brave' warrior, honest, capable and sagacious statesman, and to myself a dear friend."

And the Hon Dr Grace said* his ' first acquaintance with the now de« ceased statesman had been made in the year 1860, at a time when great irritation existed between the Im* perial and the colonial forces. The speaker went on to eulogise the cony duct of the gallant Captain Atkinson at Waireka and Mahoetahij speojally alluding to the young captain's con« trol over the incensed colonial, forces. His freedom from swagger and show won him the admiration of all.

In the House of Representatives the Premier moved : —That this House desires to place on record Its high sense of the distinguished,; services rendered to the Colony by' the late Sir Harry Albert Atkinson -- and l'espectfnlly tenders to L.ady^ , Atkinson and family the assurance' * of its sincere sympathy with 'them iiT their irreparable loss! \ . ' Sir John Hall ( in 'an eloquent speech seconded the fe'sofuiaon, and remarked "muohhaa' Been said of the character of Sir Harry Atkinson, but one feature has not been alluded to as yet,- aijd tliat is the extent to which he retained the simplicity of tastes,.; and tW .simpk life of the early colonist. He h^4, an intense dislike for that increasing' .tendency to luxury, ostentation; aYd pSraonai extravagance, which is so unforMjiiatfl' ly a feature in modern sqdipty, itnd r which even threatens jp, "'".^invftcfe Iri1 ri colonial society. His Hf^ ap^ sjc- ; ample were a standing/ 'prptwir against such tastes, and I t&lnk'inat example- will remain, f as J&, leapon to .those who come fafteif blnj/'V The Hon.HrVßp^^aid " Sir Harry l^tkinsfonj jbegtMif 'life as a settler, then ; ag i^spjdier, and then npon a career,^jpublic duty, and carried J tb ; e, f! same qualities through everK IBeJfipd,pf1 BeJfipd,pf his life, public and private. ;A 'life;, begun with work, "and with recognisuWthe dignity of labour, wasicqntinued in the battle field; he wasJor ever, fighting the good : fight, ,and he waaVa man earnest and determined, in. his purpose of conquering circumstances and not giving) way to them r ',' If He trod the path of duty with/ a*'firbn,/ tread, well knowing wheri/,if^ec£ iV .... He has T&fgefy^'kvfn'f* from us, a man ofweU'Spegt life, 5 a man of stainless character, ' a large hearted, large minded public man, a statesman whose example we may well emulate, but which we cannot hope .to. surpass. _ Peace be to* his I mem6ry^. l „! . j. i>ji j,j •,; {j{" i Mr Allen .an^ Mr R. H'( J. Reeves alsoLtestifiedltp T ipieili personal ftfiSjpi'f at the logs sustained' by t|ie deatnoir X Bir H^i^Atldps^afeif)*^l^«ttov Premier^ fesolu^oh""wa^ p^uttaTO ' carried unanimously. r>?-f r,f