DEATH OF MR W. S. MOORHOUSE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2648, 15 September 1881, Page 3

DEATH OF MR W. S. MOORHOUSE.

SECOND EDITION

,, A telegram from Wellington this morning announces the death of Mr William Sefton Moorhouse. He had been suffering from ill-health for several years, and this fact will account for the comparatively quiet position he has occupied in the world of politics of late. Had he retained his former vigor, Ve may be sure that he would have been still among the ; foremost of colonial politicians as in an earlier day he was. Since his forced retirement from public view a new people has occupied Canterbury, to many of whom even his name’ may be .unfamiliar, but those who took part in the early struggles'of the settlement, wilhrVmember gratefully the man whose energy and ability did so much to help forward the day of better things. His abilities as a politician were early recognised. He was elected to represent Akaroa in the General Assembly in the first General Election, and he was the second person elected to the Snperintcndency of the Province, a post to which he was repeatedly returned. His name must always occupy a prominent place in the early history of the colony for the sake of the impetus given to trade and the general prosperity of the Canterbury by the introduction of railway communication. The Moorhouse tunnel, at thd'time of its construction the .most considerable work of the kind in the world, was projected by the deceased gentleman, and its commencement and successful completion were mainly, if due to his exertions. That work will form a fitting and enduring memorial for the man whose foresight approved, and whose energy 'demanded' "and obtained, a work of aidr greht and lasting, benefit to his contemporaries and to posterity. It is not to'b much to ..say that until that tunnel , was made,- J and free communication ', thus established between , Lyttelton and .the plains, the progress of settlement in any real sense would have been practically nil. It was a prime necessity ; and all honor to the man, who, in face of difficulties and discouragements of the most trying kind, persevered in his efforts until they wet;e crowned with wellmerited success. Of late years, as before remarked, ill health has prevented Mr Moor house from taking a very active part in politics, but the old fire still burned, and he generally occupied a seat in the House of Representatives for one or other constituency, who were proud to return him for the sake of the work he had done. At the last general .election he was returned for Ashley, where the memory of the benefits ho had conferred upon the province secured his return, and the defeat of two influential local candidates.