DEATH OF W. S. MOORHOUSE, M.H.R.

Patea Mail, 16 September 1881, Page 3

DEATH OF W. S. MOORHOUSE, M.H.R.

Wellington, Sept. 15,; Mr W. S. Moorhouse, M.H.R. for Ashley, died at 8.20 this morning. He had been suffering from diabetes for the past two years, and while attending the Native Land Court at Taupo he had an acute attack, which resulted in the formation of an abscess in the right kidney. Mr Moorhouse returned to Wellington from Taupo shortly after the opening of the present session of Parliament, but was unable to attend to his Parliamentary duties. It is understood that it was the wish of the deceased to be buried in Canterbury, and that the Stella will convey the body to Lyttelton.

On the House meeting at 11 o’clock on Thursday morning, immediately after prayers had been read, Mr Hall spoke with considerable emotion, and said: Since 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 the 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 public life of the colony, a man possessed of rare natural ability and geherOsity of disposition. He 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 province of Canterbury, and his name has been associated with the most important years in the history of that place, and its progress and prosperity. William Sefton Mcorhouse was one of the first elected memr hers of the House of Representatives, and is one who .will long be 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 whose place will not be filled up, and whose name will occupy a lasting place in the heart of the people.

I feel that I am quite unable to say more. I feel myself wholly at a loss to express my feelings on this occasion as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased. I will move that this House do now adjourn until the evening at 7.30. . I understand that it was the wish of the deceased that his remains should be interred in Canterbury, and with the view of giving effect to that wish Government have determined upon placing the Government steamer at the disposal of his friends. I now propose that the House do adjourn until the evening, and I will also take care that members will be afforded an opportunity of attending the procession from the deceased’s house down to the steamer.

Sir George Grey said : Sir, I rise to second the motion. There arc occasions when it is intended to pay a compliment to some persons whose deeds are so little known that they require exulana.tion, but on the present occasion 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 whatsgreat things might he accomplished by energy and self-reliance. He applied his mind to that, and he successfully carried out, perhaps, one of the most important works that has ever been executed in New Zealand in that why. He gave an example not only to the Province of Canterbury, but to the whole colony, by his generosity and devotion in all these respects. He has established a claim 16 onr gratitude and remembrance. This House mi a previous occasion did its utmost during the life of Mr Moorhouse to show itself grateful for the services of that gentleman, and now I trust we shall pay this last tribute of respect without one dissenting voice, and show courtesy and honor to the memory of the gentleman whom we all respect. Mr Macandrew said : I will only add one word to what has been said. That not only has the colony lost one of its most prominent public men, but I have lost, in the death of Mr Moorhouse, a sincere and trusted friend, one with whom 1 have been associated for a period of 30 years. As tbo Premier has stated, Mr Moorhouse and myself were the only two members of the present House, who occupied seats in the 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 left a monument behind him which will continue to perpetuate his memory as long, as New Zealand endures.

The motion was then agreed to, and the House rose.

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 on the 15th, but immediately adjourned, on the motion of Mr Whitaker, till 7;30, as a tribute of respect to the memory of Mr Moorhouse, Mr Whitaker stating that thongh it was not usual for one Chamber to adjourn upon the death of a member of the other, yet in this case Mr Moorhouse’s character and career justified them in ignoring precedent, and giving a last mark of their esteem of a most eminent public man. ( Hear, hear.)