DEATH OF DR. FEATHERSTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4777, 14 July 1876, Page 2

DEATH OF DR. FEATHERSTON.

The brief telegram received last evening will be read this morning throughout the colony with the deepest regret. Dr. Featherston, so long identified with the best interests of the colony—identified with them from the earliest days—is dead. The mark of respect which the House of Representatives showed on receipt of the telegram, is emblematical of that which the colony, from one end to the other, will desire to evince. It is impossible, at present, to do more than briefly notice Dr. Featherston’s colonial career. He arrived here as surgeon of the ship Olympus soon after the foundation of the settlement, and those who were so fortunate as to be his fellow-passengers, have repeatedly manifested, and still entertain, the warmest friendship for him. In illustration, we recollect that during troublous political times a person expressed his sense of hardship in electors having to go a distance of nine miles to vote, but on his being asked whether personally .he considered it a hardship to go that distance to serve Dr. Featherston, he exclaimed, with the utmost earnestness, that ho would willingly go ninety, if he had to walk all the way barefoot. One of the Doctor’s earliest’ public acts was in contending with the Hew Zealand Company for the rights )f the original land purchasers; and having succeeded in gaming for them compensation for the long delays and serious losses to which they were subjected, the settlers marked their estimation of his efforts by presenting him with a silver tea service—probably the first presentation of the laud in the colony.

When in about 1850 the Settlers’ Constitutional Association was formed, he became one of its leading members, and both by his speeches and writings contributed largely to the success which culminated in the representative institutions granted to the colony in 1853; and when, under those representative institutions, it became the duty of the inhabitants of Wellington to elect a Superintendent, the Doctor’s public career emphatically marked him as the most fitting person for that office. He was elected without opposition, and although afterwards opposed on more than one occasion, he continued therein until 1871, when he resigned in favor of the appointment of AgentGeneral in London. During the same period Dr. Featherstoa sat ia the House of Representatives, having been elected first for Wanganui and subsequently for the City of Wellington. His career in that House won for him the esteem of all parties ; for although he did not, from physical weakness, speak often, yet when he did speakhis utterances were weighty, and were esteemed, too, with marked attention. His speech, in which he denounced the war of 1860 as “ unjust and unholy” will long be held in remembrance, and was mainly instrumental in securing that influence among the natives which was afterwards used so wisely and with such good effect. This was conspicuously shown in the preservation of peace in this province, and in the celebrated inland march of General Chute to Taranaki, on which occasion, though illness scarcely permitted him to sit his horse, he accompanied the Native Contingent, who would not have proceeded without him. During his long parliamentary career lie was repeatedly offered office, but only accepted it —the Colonial Secretaryship—on one occasion for a few weeks, to enable the Ministry to tide over the session, preferring always to remain Superintendent of the province of Wellington. On several occasions he was sent on special missions to Australia and England, and was, without exception, eminently successful in all of them.

While thus actively engaged in political life, he was always ready to join in efforts for social advancement. Among other institutions he was one of the originators of the savings bank and of the Mechanics’ Institute in Wellington, taking in their progress a lively interest, and contributing to it by his personal efforts. Until he became Superintendent 1 . Dr. Featherston practised his profession; and to the date of his leaving the colony his professional services were constantly available to those who needed them. Thus, on one occasion, while returning home from the House of Representatives, a soldier’s wife was taken in labor when crossing the Mauukau bar, and hearing the cry, “ Is there a doctor on board,” he rendered in a moment all necessary assistance. Since Dr. Featherston’s appointment in 1871 to the office of Agent-General, he has invariably justified the wisdom of the choice then made, by the rare ability he has shown in the discharge of the responsible, onerous, and delicate tasks that have been entrusted to him. His character as a gentleman and his value as a negotiator were admitted in the highest circles at Home, and procured for him the offer on one, if not on two occasions, of the honor of knighthood—an offer he did net see fit to accept. The honor he most coveted was the decoration of the New Zealand Cross, and although delay occurred in granting it to him, it is satisfactory to know that a few months since his wishes were gratified. We do not attempt to intrude on the sorrow which his family and personal friends must feel at the heavy loss they have sustained ; but we are sure that they will receive the truest sympathy from the very large circle who knew Doctor Featherston’s rare and estimable qualities.

During the whole term of 'his residence in the colony Doctor Eeatherston suffered from constitutional weakness, having been in early life seriously threatened with consumption, to escape which he had twice previously visited Greece and the South of Europe. Latterly the tidings received of his failing health led to anxious fears on his account, and when by the last mail the Government heard of his more than usual weakness, they lost no time in begging him to take a long leave of absence, in the hope that a few months rest would lead to his restoration—a hope which the telegram received yesterday has so sadly disappointed. We believe his age was about sixty-three, and that he was born in Newcastle-ou-Tyue. Dr. Eeatherston’s services to the colony have been so eminent, and have extended over so lengthened a period of its history, that the Government, the Parliament, and the country will, to our thinking, fail in their duty if they do not take some prompt means of recognising them in a manner which shall to a certain extent bo substantial so far as his family are concerned.

A civil case, which was pending for some time, came before the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, namely, Spreat v. Moss —an action to recover £SO, damages sustained by a fall from a horse, which threw its rider in consequence of being frightened by defendant’s dog. The evidence for plaintiff was to the effect that he sustained a fracture of the collar-bone, which caused him great loss of time and money. The defence went to show that in the first place defendant’s dog had nothing to do with the accident; and in the second place, that the injuries arising therefrom were not so great as were stated. The judgment of the Court went for defendant, with costs.

' The House of Representatives adjourned etirly last evening in consequence of the receipt of the news of the death of Dr. Featherstoh. . When the news arrived the-debate on ®r. Stout’s Licensing Bill was proceeding, Mr. Wood having just finished speaking. The speech of the debate was undoubtedly that of Mr. Lusk, though it was tinged ■with a little intemperate language anent the licensed victuallers. He did not attempt to mince matters. He charged them openly with living by the demoralisation of the people of the colony, and pleaded hard for a law against them which should be operative. He denied that they had a vested interest to be considered; but even if the publicans had a vested interest, there were the interests of the general public and the moral and material progress of the colony to be considered as well; and these interests loudly called for restriction in the liquor traffic. He referred to past legislation to show that the policy of the law had for some time leant towards achieving this object, and conceived that there could be no reason why there should be any objection to an Act the sole object of which was to give real effect to laws now ineffective because of the protection thrown around that small but exceedingly influential body, the publicans. A special meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon to consider the Municipal Corporations and Rating Acts now before the House of Representatives. Suggestions were made for amending various clauses erf these Bills, and the Town Clerk was instructed to forward copies of the same to the city members and the Premier. The suggestions partook mostly of a technical character. The Council were unanimous that plurality of votes for the Mayoralty would be improper. A majority agreed to recommend that the person paying the rate, whether occupier or owner, should be the person whose name ought to be on the Burgess’ list, that is, that the column in the ratebook setting forth “by whom rate paid” should be used as the guide to the compilation of the above list. In the Legislative Council .yesterday Mr. Waterhouse brought forward a motion to the effect that in the opinion of the Council it is desirable to make provision to enable voters at elections, whether of a general or local character, to avail themselves of the services of the telegraph for the purposes of voting. The motion, as might have been expected, was not received with much favor, the change proposed to be effected being of a character altogether too Radical, except by Captain Fraser, who, as he stated yesterday, has a fondness for Radical changes, in which case it is easily understood he might very possibly allow his feelings to overcome his judgment. Mr. Hall pointed out that the proposal of Mr. Waterhouse, if carried into effect, would open the door to personation; and Dr. Pollen explained that it must upset the present ballot system entirely. Mr. Waterhouse retired or withdrew his motion with good grace, stating that it had simply been his desire to ventilate the question. He foresaw the difficulties pointed out, but considered that they might be met by legislation.

Some amusement was created in the Supreme Court yesterday about a coat which was alleged to have been stolen from Mr. Hausman, late of the European Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Hausman both identified the coat as one which had been purchased at Mr. Lewis Moss’s shop some months previously. The man accused of stealing it, who exhibited considerable shrewdness in his defence, requested Mr. Hausman to put the coat on, whereupon the laughter in the court became general at the appearance of Mr. Hausman, for whom the garment looked much too small. Although Mr. Hausman had positively sworn to the coat as his, judging from his gestures, he did not know himself in it. This little interludeiuthe otherwisedryprogress of the case kept every person in the court on the broad grin for a minute or two. As will be seen by our report of the Supreme Court proceedings in another column, the man referred to was acquitted. The late Mr. D. Keefe was buried yesterday with military honors, there being present also a large number of citizens. The procession started from the house occupied by Mr. Keefe when alive, the order being as follows :—First came the Armed Constabulary, next the Artillery and City El He Bands, then a gun-carriage with the coffin, which was covered by flags ; the mourners and many friends and acquaintances of deceased came next; the volunteers, of whom there was a large muster, bringing up the rear. From the house the procession proceeded to the Cathedral, where service was read, and thence it moved on towards the graveyard, the bands playing the “Dead March.” Arrived at the “ Lord’s Acre,” the coffin was lowered into the grave prepared for its reception. The usual salute was fired, and the burial service read, Father MoGinnit being the officiating clergyman. There was a moderate attendance at the Theatre Royal last night ■; it is to be regretted the audience was not larger to witness one of the most attractive dramas yet seen by Wellington people through many seasons. “ Nobody’s Child” is referred to. The piece has many recommendations. In the first place the plot is simple, and therefore easily comprehended ; yet the situations are all of them admirably contrived to produce good and frequently startling effect, and the scenes at the close of each act are well arranged, inasmuch as they create a desire on the part of the spectators to become acquainted with that which is to follow. The principal characters in the play, as represented by the present company, were well impersonated. Mr. Bates played Joe, or Nobody’s Child, a sort of waif, who, like Topsy, is unacquainted with the persons to whom he is indebted for existence, and is treated with scorn by the people of tlm village, who regard him as being a semi-lunatic. He has only one friend, Patty Lavrock, whose love for him eventually brightens him into a different being, and causes him to be respected, and he does some good services for a nobleman’s family, the Tregarvons of Tregarvon Castle, the daughter of that illustrious house being foster-sister to Patty (Mrs. Bates) who acted as Mrs. Bates always does act—well. The Joe of Mr. Bates was naturally a capital performance, and he received hearty applause, particularly in a scene where he is supposed to descend a precipice to recover a will by which the Tregarvons come into a fortune, and which had got there by reason of the action of a villain, Tom Padston (Mr. Oily Deering) who murders a seaman having possession of the will in trust, and throws him over the precipice, intending afterwards to secure it, and thus enrich himself' by defrauding the rightful owners of the property. Joe having descended a distance, falls, and cannot manage the ascent, and he cries for help just as Patty happens to be coming that way, and as Tom Padston has arrived on the scene with the object of securing the treasure by the aid of a rope. Patty hears the cries, and snatching the rope from Tom, fastens one end of it to a tree, and throws the slack to her lover. It fortunately roaches him, but the branch of the tree to which the rope is attached breaks, and then there ensues of course an exciting scene, Patty sustains the weight of her lover, and is almost exhausted as he reaches the edge of the precipice and grasps a projecting crag. He is saved, and tauntingly discloses the tin case containing the will to Tom Padston. The curtain then drops on the second act. As in all comfortably written stories, everything concludes to the satisfaction of everybody, that is, the good people, bad people never being considered as worthy of count. Generally, the piece was put upon the stage in capital style. The scenery was good, and so was the acting throughout, Mr. Oily Deering’s Tom Padston being a splendid impersonation of an old villian, a character he is, as is well known, very competent to pourtray. “ Nobody’s Child ” will be repeated tonight. It is well worth seeing, as will perhaps be gathered from the above notice. Last night's Gazette contains—Proclamation of lands to be declared waste lands of the Crown ; proclamation of deposit of memorial plan of certain lands taken for purposes of the railway from Foxton to Manawatu ; by-law of Wanganui Municipal Corporation ; progress report of the New Zealand War Medal Commissioners ; appointment of Edward Charles Meredith to be Clerk of the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Carlyle,

Mr. Alfred Ross has been appointed Registration Officer for the election of members for the district of Rangitikei. Letters of naturalisation have been granted to Benjamin Cohen, jeweller, of Wellington ; and Louis Levin, hairdresser, of Wellington. There was an exceedingly large attendance at Mr. Duncan’s sale of Petoni land yesterday, and every lot was cleared at a satisfactory price. The criminal business of the present sittings of the Supreme Court concluded yesterday, each of the two last .charges on the. list- resulting in an acquittal. To-day the civil business commences, Schultz v. the Mayor and Corporation of Wellington coming on at 10 o’clock. The St. Paul’s Church choir intend giving another of their popular entertainments this evening at the Sydney-street schoolroom. Mr. Clapcott has kindly promised to give two of his favorite readings. With the small fee for admission, there should be a crowded house. We have been requested to state that it is the intention of Messrs. Cutler and Moore to raffle their beautiful Broadwood grand piano, Rot having disposed of it privately, and there being no convenient place to exhibit it suffipresent, Messrs, Cutler and Moore have placed it in the Post-office Hotel for the above purpose. It is known to be one of the finest instruments in the colony, and we have no doubt that the list will soon be filled up. . A number of the heads of departments and the principal officers of the Civil Service entertained Mr. Gisborne at a dinner at Osgood’s Metropolitan Hotel last evening, on the occasion of his retirement from the service. His Honor the Chief Justice occupied the chair, and Dr. Knight the vice chair. The Chief Justice in eloquent terms proposed the health, and passed well-merited evdogiums on the public and private career- of Mr. Gisborne, calling attention to the fact that Mr. Gisborne and Dr. Knight, the vice chairman, had both been appointed by Sir George Grey, and were two of the oldest and most able civil servants in the colony. Mr. Gisborne, in feeling terms, expressed his appreciation of the honor done to ’i him, and hoped that the civil] servants present would, notwithstanding his errors of omission and commission, retain some kindly remembrance of him. The dinner was of the most recherche description, and was served in host Osgood’s best style, in the new room recently added to his well-known hotel, which affords ample accommodation for 100 persons. The dinner passed off in the most agreeable manner possible, and reflected the greatest credit upon the host of the Metropolitan.