The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1890. DEATH OF MRR. TURNBULL, M.H.R.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2074, 19 July 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1890. DEATH OF MRR. TURNBULL, M.H.R.

It is with sincere regret—a regret which will be shared in by every one who ever knew him—we chronicle this morning the death of Mr Turnbull, member for Timaru. Since last session Mr Turnbull has been suffering severely from Bright's disease, or some ailment of that nature. He went into the hospital in Wellington after last session, and underwent a very painful operation. On his arrival in Christchurch he became so ill that his life was despaired of, but he subsequently rallied, and felt so strong that he went back to Wellington to attend the session. During the last few days he got worse, and died last Thursday eveniug about 5 o'clock, Mr Turnbull commenced life in New Zealand as a farmer at Eiccarton, and in 1864 came to Timaru, where in partnership with Mr D. Clarkson he carried on a general storekeeping business at what is known as The Corner. Four years later the terrible fire of 1868 destroyed bis store and several shops adjoining it which he had erected, but though the losb he had thus sustained was great he coutinued in business as a grain merchant, and more recently as an auctioneer, ever since. As a public man Mr Turnbull led a useful life. Besides being member at one time or another of every local body, he occupied a seat in the Provincial Council, and has represented Timaru in Parliament for the past 12 years. He was a most conscientious and painstaking politician, and no more thorough consistent party man ever entered the House. He was a thorough Liberal, and his party has every reason to regret the loss they have sustained. As a speaker few could equal him in rousing the enthusiasm of a public meeting, and some of his best efforts in Parliament have been ranked with the most eloquent that can be found recorded in the pages of Hansard. As a private citizen he was one of those who would "do good by stealth and blush to find it fame." He was kind and good to the poor, and when in health his Sunday's were pretty well spent between the hospital and the gaol, cheering the inmates ef the former with the glorious hopes religion held out to them, and endeavoring by Christian precept to win the latter to see the error ot their ways. His place is vacant, and it will be long until any one will be found to fill it so worthily, and in a manner that will inspire so much confidence. He was a thorough Christian, but altogether free from any feelings of sectarianism. He led a most exemplary life, and he will be remembered in Timaru as long as any one of the present generation lives. On 'J hursday, after answering questions in the House of Eepresentatives, Mr Mitchelson said that he deeply regretted to haye to inform the House that Mr Turnbull, the member for Timaru, died that afternoon. He (Mr Mitchelson) proposed, in accordance with the custom on such occasions, and out of respect to Mr Turnbull's memory, to ask the House to adjourn till next day. The deceased gentleman had entered the House in 1879, and had always been a consistent supporter of the party with which he had been identified. His sterling honesty of purpose, and genuine good qualities, had earned for him the esteem of all with whom he had come in contact, and he (Mr Mitchelson) had always found in him a faithful friend, whose advice he had ever been ready to follow. He trusted that the Speaker would convey to Mr Turnbull's family the earnest and hearty sympathy of the House.—Mr Ballance'seconded the motion for ad- J journment as an appropriate tribute to one who had occupied so high a place in the regard of honorable members. He desired to say that he had lost an earnest friend, a feeling which was shared by many members of the House. It was well known that Mr Turnbull's geniality of feeling and warmheartedness had endeared him to everybody who he knew. He felt that the colony had lost a conscientious and upright man, whose life was devoted to what he believed to be the right and true course. Mr Turnbull had been in the House for twelve years, and his public and private character would long be remembered with feelings of respect. He desired to express the sympathy of the House with Mr Turnbull's widow in her affliction. —Messrs Pyke, Ehodes, Walker, and Mpjer Steward also spoke in most feeling terms of the deceased geutleman, and showed by the earnestness ©f their utterances the intense regret they felt at his death.