THE LATE MR. CROSBIE WARD.

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 139, 10 January 1868, Page 2

THE LATE MR. CROSBIE WARD.

The Lyttleton Times contains a most interesting memoir of the late Mr Crosbie Ward, in which a just tribute is paid to his memory. After sketching his active political career, the writer goes on to say : But the time was come when all political difference were to sink out of sight in the deep regret felt'by men of all political life. For when he took the office of Agent for the Province of Canterbury in England, it was felt by all who knew him well that his career was nearly over. His disease had got such a mastery over him as to deprive him of his rest, and to make his life a protracted torture. He worked on here nevertheless, and wrote for this paper as usual till he sailed for Melbourne, in company with Mr Hall, to represent New Zealand at the Intercolonial Postal Conference ; and after doing his work there to the full satisfaction of the colony, he returned to

New Zealand, and thence sailed for England via Panama, as Agent for Canterbury. By the mail before last we heard of his having negotiated the sale of £150,000 of Provincial Debentures, and by letters that have just arrived, dated 2Gth October, we hoar that he was doing his duty to the last with his wonted pluck, although not expected to live many days. Mr Self writes, " Poor C) osbie Ward is dying —sinking _ fast. He Avill never leave his room alive, I thinh a few days will see the end; —he is emaciated to the last degree, and suffers much. 1 saw him yesterday for a quarter of an hour, as he expressed a wish to see me. His mind is clear, and he bears up gallantly. * # * * I could not, of course, say much to him, in our brief interview — my anxiety being to prevent his being troubled about worldly matters. I be™ed him to leave to me any business 3 arrangements of the office which he did not feel could be managed by others. But his pluck is wonderful, and he will die in harness. He insisted on having an interv' 2W with Mr Larkworthy, the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and on dictating to the clerk at the office a despatch to the Superintendent." The telegram does not mention the date of his death ; but this extract from a private letter shows us our old friend dying as he had lived, a brave unselfish man, doing the work he had found to do in this life with all his might, until death relieved him from his pain and from his labor. Thus it was ordained, for reasons we cannot fathom, that the promise of an active and useful life should be blighted very soon. But after all, he left work enough after him for one short life ; and he had inspired the public with an extraordinary confidence in his future. Those who differed from him most, respected his scruples, and did justice to his industry and ability. How mere differences of opinion appear to sink into insignificance in the face of death ! How incidental circumstances fades out of sight, and the man assumes his real stature among his fellows, in our saddened thoughts! Great success, or high position, or extended fame, are not the true measure of a man's claim to be remembered by his contemporaries with affection and respect. And New Zealand will find a niche among her departed worthies for one w r ho, in his short career, had served her so honestly and so well. Because he was just and pure and true in all his dealings—because he ever strove to do his duty before Cxod and man —because he was manly and firm in his public conduct, gentle and kind in his private relations ; therefore all love and honor and respect —all tender regrets and gentle memories will gather round the early grave of Crosbie Ward.