THE LATE MR TANCRED

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1677, 5 May 1884, Page 2

THE LATE MR TANCRED

(Uhristckurch Press) Henry Jolm Tancred,- a younger. son of Sir Thomas Tancred, Bart,, o&, Borougbbridge, in Yorkshire, was born ' in the year 1816, and was educated at Rugby. He entered the Austrian Service at a time when that service was a popular one with English Gentlemen, owing to the traditions of tho European war in which England and Austria were allies. He served in a distinguished Hussar regiment for many years, and saw service in Hungary and Italy until 1848, when he returned to England ; and having taken a great interest iu the proposed scheme for the founda- ' tion of tho Canterbury Settlement, he gave up his commission and .proceeded to Wellington in advance of the first Canterbury settlers. He joined them at once on the arrival of Mr Godluy, and from that time to the day of his death, he took an active part in the business of this Province, both public and private. An active tr ember of the Provincial Council, he succeeded as Speaker to Mr Bowen on that gentleman's return to the Old Country, and held the office until the Abolition Act put an end to Provincial Institutions. He was for a long time one of tho Canterbury members of the General Assembly, and held offipe for a short time in two ministries. Nor were these, the only occasions on which his abilities were in request beyond this province, Hfs long ser. vices in the cause of education fitly culminated in his as tlio Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, an office which he held till his death. With what ability, judgment, and patience ho piloted the University through the.first perils ot its youth, and how lie won the absolute confidence and respect ot the varied and clashing interests comprised within its fold, is well known to the public of New Zealand,

But it is especially as a Canterbury nm that his loss will bo long and acutely felt by those who value tlio qualities for which ho was pro-eminent, A highly cultured courteous gentleman who wsb always ready to assist any good cause when it was in his power to do so, He' had at the same time a very keen appreciation of any kind of humbug or imposture, ond rebuked it with a humor, which, though generally gonial and most attractive, could, on occasions be sufficiently caustic. Ilis high character as a man of the strictest honor, his independence of mind/and his public spirit—these qualities, even more than his proved capacity—made his presence welcome in all business, public or private. 'What College Council, what public Board has not sought, and, at one time or another, obtained his services? And in the. Board rooms of Companies which do a large share of the business of the country lie was just as much sought for, and his advice was just as much valued.

For many years lie had retired from political life, and resisted the many invitations. .which. lie. received from different quarters to enter the arena again, Lilce fill public ; men ! lie had borne his fair sliaro of abuse; and tho judicial character of his mind, which led him to see both sides of the ques- "-n. tion, was often mistaken by impatient politicians for indecision, His old friends will remember .the quiet humor and perfect equanimity with which ho alluded to public criticisms on his conduct; how he used to say that lie was not fitted for political life, and that his critics were like tho injudicious Judge who came to a right conclusion, but got wrong in giving his reasons, His mind, always firm and manly, was perhaps of too judicial and philosophical a temperament to be well adapted to the rude, illogical, intemperate scuffle of modern politics. Mr Tailored, as Judge Johnson said the other day from the Bench, was ono of the men who havo helped to procure for the colony the good narno which it bears in tho world. Every day in every society, in every public office, in. eveiy business circle/ his absence is keenly, felt, and men feel that they cannot easily replace him. But in private life, among his own intimate' friends, it. is felt that he cannot be replaced at all. .' His cultivated mind, literary taste, and genial humOr, made him a delightful compansonwhile his. affectionate disposition. made him a farorite in every house he frequented from the elders to the smallest ohild. • Quia desiderio sit pudor aut modus Tamcari capitis?