DEATH OF SIR DONALD McLEAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4926, 6 January 1877, Page 2

DEATH OF SIR DONALD McLEAN.

It becomes our melancholy duty to announce that Sir Donald McLean died at Napier yesterday afternoon about 3 o’clock. There can be no doubt that this sad intelligence will be received in every part of New Zealand, in Australia, and in England with feelings of the' deepest regret by all who were acquainted with the deceased, who was well known as a public man , and a private citizen. It has not been, his fate to die on the battlefield, although no man perilled his life more frequently; but it may be said of him that he sacrificed his life in the service of New Zealand. Had he listened to the counsel of his friends and retired from public life twelve months ago, he might now be numbered amongst the living instead of the dead; but he knew how much depended upon him; i and the important interests that were at stake, and he struggled on until it was too late. Last session he remained in his place in the'House When he ought to have been enjoying rest and repose, and even when he yielded to the urgent solicitations of his friends, and gave up attending to his Parliamentary duties, he still did more departmental work than he ought, and allowed the fatal disease which caused hia death, to undermine his naturally strong constitution. Want of space prevents our saying more, or doing full justice to his merits and numerous good qualities. New* Zealand has lost one Of her best and bravest . public . men, and the name 'of Sir Donald McLean will be for ever respected and honored.

The foregoing appears also in this day’s New Zealand Mail, ■ which was necessarily sent to press early yesterday evening, and is but a brief tribute to the impress which Sir Donald McLean has made upon the history of the colony. In a subsequent issue we shall endeavor to trace his connection with the most important events of our national life at more length.