The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1882.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1020, 11 March 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1882.

Ik a few days Mr C. Pharazyn leaves this district for a trip to England, and will be away from us for two years, The absence of a leading public man, even fortius period, is an event in the quiet annals of the Wairarapa; We have never been a thick and' tbin supporter of Mr Pharazyn, and in the past we have boen more apt to dwell on the angularities of his character than on the straight lines of it. Though second to hardly any public man in the colony in capacity and general attainments, he has, in consequence of these angularities, been less successful than men of a much smaller calibre in obtaining those prizes which a public caroer offers to men in his position. In the ordinary sense of the term he has never been; a popular man. It is in his nature to assert himself, and without being absolutely dictatorial or domineering there, is a suspicion of superciliousness about hira.j whi«h alienates the masses. At thV same time the oircle of men who have a thorough respect for Mr Pharazyn is a large one, and it is those who know him best who speak in $e highest terms of him, He is a roan who is

not afraid to make an enemy, and he is ono who makes friends slowly but surely. During the past decade Mr Pharazyn has done much good service for this district, hut for the reasons we have indicated we do not expect to witness on this occasion any adequate expression of their value. When he represented this district in the Provincial Council he fought hard but ineffectually against the sftcrificeoftlie waste lands of the Wairarapa to the exigencies of Superintendent i'itzlierbert's melting pot. The hnds went, and with them departed the prospect of making many miles of road in our outlying districts. We are specially indebted, however, to Mr Pharazyn in his capacity of County Chairman for the opening up and settlement of the Forty Mile Bush. As yet the full value of this great colonising work has not dawned upon us. A large territory we know has been prepared for settloment, but the absolute establishment of settlers on it is only as yet in its initial stage. A few years hence when it is as rich and as populous as any other portion of the country we shall better appreciate the foresight and labor of Mr Phaarzyn and his colleagues, Members of the Council will no doubt admit that Mr Pharazyn can fairly claim the lion's share of the success which has attended the great public works of the County. His influence with the. Government and with heads of Departments has been an invaluable auxiliary, and this influence has been due to the implicit confidence that the Ministry and their subordinates have had in his judgment, his knowledge, and his integrity, The offices of minor importance which Mr Pharazyn has filled need not be enumerated excepting in one or two instances. As President of tho Pastoral Society he succeeded in substituting ono central institution for two hostile associations, We never approved exactly of the manner in which the change was brought about, but experience has shewn that the step was a wise one. As a member of the Education Board he has worked hard for the best interests of our schools. We do not forget that when the erection of our new buildings at Masterton hung in the balance how he came to the rescue. Mr Pharazyn's force of character, honesty of purpose, and knowledge of the requirements of this district single him out as a leader of public opinion, "We have not amongst us many trained public men who are independent, clear-headed, and industrious in the measure that lie is. Wo shall miss him whenever and great interest is at stake. We can quite believe that many people will be very indifferent whether Mr Pharazyn's absence be prolonged for one year or three, but wo know very well that those who are earnest in working out the advancement of the Wairarapa can ill spare him, and will heartily welcome his return to the district.