IN MEMORIAM.
Those who habitually consult the columns of their newspaper for the sake of learning what are the indications of progress, or the prognostics of prosperity, of the Nelson Goldfields will, we feel sure, permit their minds to revert for a moment, with no less strong au interest, to the early days of the district, upon receiving the melancholy news of the death of Mr Kynnersley, late Commissioner of these goldfields. This event, although now long anticipated, is none the less sad to those whose recollections of the deceased recall to their minds the time when he was engaged in the active duties of his office, superintending, organising, and directing the early development of these Goldfields, and displaying an amount of physical and mental energy which many persons of far greater strength might have envied. Before he had attained the age of 30, Mr Kynnersley had discharged the duties of Commissioner upon these Goldfields with such zeal and efficiency that he was able to hand over his charge to the routine operation of that machinery which at some time in the progress of every goldficld necessarily supersedes the discretionary, or, to some extent, irresponsible action of a single officer. To a young man fresh from the quarter-deck of a ship of war, the duties of Commissioner on a new and extensive goldfield in such a country as the West Coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand, must have presented peculiar difficulties To encounter much physical exertion and hardship ; to travel almost incessantly in a country abounding in mountains and rivers; and to put up with such accommodation, or absence of acco ntnodation, as the early days of the Goldfields could supply ; these were the least part of the duties undertaken by Mr Kynnersley, although in his case sufficiently serious, since he had already given up his old profession in consequence of the approaches of tho insidious disease which has at length proved fatal to him. Tn addition to such work as has already been mentioned, ho had to organize everything required for the management of a new goldfield; and to compose all the inharmonious elements which present themselves upon the discovery of new diggings in a difficult country, when there are few means of maintaining order beyond the active intelligence and resolute will of the person in authority. He had to superintend the progress of public works, to decide on the best sites for towns,, and the best lines for roads, and to decide these things in haste, so as to provide for the uncertain wants of a fluctuating population, and the doubtful contingencies of an unsettled state of things. And the officer who undertook all these duLies was expected in addition to be the administrator of justice, and with his attention distracted by the discharge of so many active functions, to decide all the complicated disputes which never arise so plentifully as at the beginning of a new goldfield. In the performance of these duties it is notorious that MrKvnnerslevgave very general satisfaction, and though we by no means claim infallibility for him, it is certain that he acquitted himself with remarkable ability. His general management of affairs was so good that it is no uncommon thing even at this day to meet with persons who regret that the machinery of civilised society should ever have superseded the prompt and vigorous administration of the commissioner. If there was one part of Mr Kynuersley's duties more thoroughly alien than another from his former pursuits, it must have been the administration of justice; yet without any technical knowledge of law, he gave decisions which were generally sound, and of which, when they happened to be questionable, the grounds were always intelligible, and the reasons forcible. The justice which he administered, if sometimes deserving the epithet " rough and ready," was very far removed from that commodity properly known as justices' justice. On the contrary, it not unfrequently happened that by mere mother-wit and native penetration of mind he arrived, in deciding a cause, at the very legal principle involved—some principle laid down in the books with much technicality, and supported by much learned argument
a (I illustration. And in e»ery department of his nffic tho abilities displayed by Mr Kynnersley were always snbservient to aud directed by that strong sense of duty which one naturally expects in an English naval officer, and which, while it never fails to be appreciated in a British community, is perhaps nowhere more profoundly esteemed than on a tjoldfielj. It is a strong testimonial to the merits of the late Commissioner that his name is never mentioned by the diggers without something approaching to enthusiasm. His energy and fearlessness in the performance of his duties ; his manifestly sincere desire to do justice to all ; his accessibility and affability ; and his contemptuous reprobation of anything like meanness or underhand dealing;, all combined to render him a' general favorite with the digging community ; aud the recollection entertained by the diggers of these qualities is to this day a better testimonial to his memory than auyt' ing we can write. That these slight notes are but a feeble tribute to Mr Kynnersley's merits, will bo allowed by all who were acquainted with his official career. Were we however to go further, and attempt to describe those qualities of heart aud mind which endeared him to his friends, we should be saying what could be thoroughly appreciated only by a few, and they cannot need to be reminded by us of what they already so well know. His sterling worth of character, his generous, courageous, and chivalrous disposition, his hatred of all sham and hypocrisy, his unselfishness, his quiet but intense sense of the humorous, — all these things are best kuowa to those who knew him best, and w' a o now have most reason to lament his loss. We are satisfied that those whose acquaintance with him was the longest will be the most ready to agree that we have lost an excellent specimen of a true-hearted English officer and gentleman —one who, had health and strength been his lot, would doubtless have left a signal mark upon the records of this Colony.
In an obituary notice of the late Mr Kynnersley the Grey River Argus says :—" Mr Kynnersley, the nephew of the Stipendiary Magistrate of Birmingham, entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman, and as soon as his age permitted was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He saw a good deal of service, but his health failing he was allowed to retire upon sick leave, and was afterwards placed upon the Reserve List, enjoying a small allowance of some £BO per annum. It was in 1861 or 1862 that he became a settler in the Pelorus Sound. There he lived in a truly primitive fashion, cultivating a small plot of ground, feeding a few sheep and other farm animals, and spending his leisure hours in boating and other aquatic amusements. When the gold discoveries took place in Marlborough, he received an appointment under the Government in the Warden's Court, and shortly afterwards was selected by Mr Saunders, the then Superintendent of Nelson, t> take charge of the Nelson South-west G-oldfields. Young as he was, Mr Saunders had so much confidence in him that he made him a Commissioner, with almost plenary powers, and this course was endorsed by the next Superintendent, Mr Curtis. The expenditure on the gold fields was voted en bloc, and the whole discretion of its administration rested entirely with Mr Kynnersley. And well and faithfully did he fulfil his trust. His industry, his practical good sense, his firmness when firmness was required, his genial and unpretentious nature, and his strong sympathy with the mining community secured to him an amount of personal esteem and public respect that rarely centres in a public officer."
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Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1148, 6 February 1874, Page 2
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1,311IN MEMORIAM. Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1148, 6 February 1874, Page 2
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