THE LATE MR BALLANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2498, 4 May 1893, Page 2

THE LATE MR BALLANCE.

Wellington, May 1. References were made from the pulpit in a number of the churches yesterday, to the death of the Premier.

The Trades and Labour Council have called a special meeting to consider the question of raising a subscription for a memorial to Mr Ballance,

The Evening Post giveß the following explanation of the way in which the late Mr Ballance came to be buried under the Masonic ritual. Mr Ballance waa formerly Worshipful Master of the St. Andrew's Kilwinning Lodge, then work* ing under the Scotch Constitution. When Sir Robert Stout established a lodge in this colony under the Grand Orient of France, Mr Ballauce joined it, and so cut himself off from Freemasonry as recognised by the Scotch Constitution or the New Zealand Constitution, to which the St Andrew's Lodge transfer/ed its allegiance. Prior to the operation being performed, Mr Ballance expressed a wish to Mr Seddon, who is also a Mason, to be buried according to the Masonic form by his old lodge, should the operation terminate fatally, A similar wish was expressed to his wife. On this being represented to the Grand Lodge, the M.W. Grand Master granted a dispensation to enable St. Andrew's Kilwinning Lodgo to comply with Mr Ballance's wish. The D.G. Lodge of We"ington, English Constitution, also granted a dispensation to enable its lodges to take part in the ceremony, and the D.G.M. of the North Island, Scotch Constitution, Bro. McCullough, was amongst the brethren present at the grave.

May 2. At a meeting of the City Council last night the following resolution was carried : —" That thecitizans of Wel'ington deeply and sincerely regret the death of the Hon. Mr Ballauce, and remember with gratitude his many years of service to the people of this c«>lony. The Council requests that this resolution be recorded iu its minutes, and that a copy thereof be forwarded to Mrs B illance, with an expression of respectful sympathy of the Council and cit'",ens of Wellington in her bereavement."

A special meeting of the Trades and Labour Counc'l was held to-night for the purpose of considering the proposal to canvass for subscriptions tq defray the cost of a lasting tribute to the late Pr* mier. There was a large attendance of members. The President moved—" That steps be immediately taken to raise subscriptions publicly for the purpose of establishing a lasting tribute to the memoiy of the late Premier," The Hon, W. P, P v eeyes, in seconding the motion, said l|e hoped Council would take tns matter UP in an energetic manner, and suggested that a|l local bqdies an 4 organisations of eyeiy kind should be. asked tq subscribe. The resolution was carried unanimously, and a 1! arrange? meuts made for car*/ing the proposal '"to, a successful issuel It' was djppided tho money w'.:wT be

erection of a suitable statute in Wellington ; (2) the surplus, ? f any, to the establishment of a scholarship, or some other educational purpose. Prior to the Land Board resuming business, Mr Baker, the Chief Commissioner, referrt dto the death of the late Premier, and paid a high tribute of respect to the deceased, and eulogised the land policy inaugurated by him when he was a member of the Stout-Vogel Government. Several members of the Board having spoken in a similar strain, a resolution expressing sympathy with Mrs Ballance was carried.

May 3.

The Napier Knights of Labor cp-ried a resolution supporting ihe propc -al of the WeJMngton Trades and Libor Council ta erect a statue to the memory of the late Premier.

The Wellington Liberal Association have passed resolutions of confidence in the new Miniatij, and appointed a committee to consider the best means of establishing a memorial to Mr Ballance. The Lodge I'Amour de la Veid, G.0.F,, propose to hold a memorial sen ice in honor of members removed by death, with a special reference to the Premier. A feature of the Lodge's functions is that ladies are admitted. The Governor has received a cable from Lord Hopetouu, regretting Mr death.

Auckland, May 2,

The AucPand Liberal Association last night resolved to call on the kind"ed societies to jom 4 n the endeavour to raise a fitting memorip'. to the late Mr Ballance.

Christcjurch, May 1

Reference was made from the pulpits of many of the churches yesterday touching the death of the Premier. Oamaru, May 1.

At Waitaki South the Maoris are holding a great tangi, at which the death of the Premier is loudly lament: 1. Dunedin, May 1.

In several of the city churches yesterday, reference was made to Mr Balance's death.

The Tailoresses' Union to-night passed a motion of sympathy with Mrs Ballance in her bereauement.