The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JULY 2, 1892,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3115, 2 July 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, JULY 2, 1892,

It is one of the characteristics of our race to be particularly reticent as to the virtues of our living i" ' in. On the other hand, their public acts withf. with, the exception of ss of journals and public speakers the personal motives is studiously even go so far •ueasures as a political the same ho adifuot -ty

hahlo that ;; mmi who doi.'S not merit much of the pniiso iifcovi'lnd can riso to a hi<rli poliiicul positioii in either party ; ho cor'ainly cauiiot retain ir, for any lengthened period. Tin's colony is now mourning for Pit- H. Atkinson, the imiu who has niado ?noro Jocn) history during , the past twenty yoar.-j than any of his coiifoui[iorarioH, and who has worn himself nut by faithfully performing the duties whicli appertained to the various offices he has held. Now is not tho cime to criticise his political faii.li or --inter into a discussion on the wisdom of the measures he has promoted during his long career; that duty will devolve in a degree upon the man who undertakes to write his biography and in a greater measure on those who record the history of his period. He was a man peculiarly fitted for colonial life. He commenced his career by undertaking the primary duties of a colonistpreparing the land to " bring forth its increase." These he performed under very trying circumstances, surrounded as he was by a savage, brave and warlike race of natives, who, as events proved, were liable at any moment to rebel against the occupation of the land, by men whose power they had not yet learnt to respect, or of whose honest intention they were by no means assured. In common with the other settlers Sir Harry and his brother took up their land with their eyes thoroughly open to this chance, and with a determination to maintain their position. A dispute arose over the now historical Waitara block and the Maoris resorted to their weapons to settle the difference. The settlers took up arms, and with the true instinct which guides men on such occasions they selected Sir Harry to lead them. This was the •ouimenceiuent of the 6rst Taranaki war and before its close Sir Harry and his volunteers rendered most valuable services. As recognition, a Majority in the New Zealand Militia was conferred on the leader. Sir Harry's political career commenced as a member of the Taranaki Provincial Council and the ability he displayed in this position led to his being put forward and elected to the House of Representatives. He first attained Cabinet rank as Minister for Defence in the Weld Ministry in lS6i. Since that time he has been three times Premier and a member of Ministries in which he has held various portfolios. We must leave to others or at any rate till another occasion the tracing

in detail the career of this faithful servant of his country. He was unquestionably a strong man, he never flinched from expressing , and giving effect to his opinions. Ho was not a bigoted party man no strong man could have been under the circumstances of the colony during his career. Until quite recently it was only on rare occasions that questions arose which clearly defined party. Material ditt'ei-ences of opinions had consisted mainly in

the belief by either party that they could exercise patronage and administer better than the other. Sir Harry was a good debater and not given to sparing his opponents in

the House any mgre than, lie had his eneaiies in the field, but he always fought fair, so did not sacrifice his otto selE-respect or forfeit that of his opponents. He was complete master of the intricacies of colonial finance. He was not so daring as Sir Julius \ ogel, with whom only he comes into comparison, tut his finance was certainly on a safer basis. That the colony is now, compaiafcively speaking, in such a flourishing condition is due to his policy, aided by the circumstance that producers have found profitable markets for their surplus, and that that has largely iucreased in volume. To his honour be it said Sir Harry has accurnuJated little wealth, he received ihe pay of

the people to devote his time, his energies, and his ability to their service, and has honestly fulfilled the contract. Had he slurred over his public duties and devoted himself to forwarding his own interests, there can be no question but that his will would have included much more imposing amounts than is likely to be the ease. This is a matter which affects those he has left behind him, but if their snare of wealth is only small they have the satisfaction of knowing that it was honestly earned by the husband and father. The country, however, can hardly afford to lot

the matter rest there, it can much better in every sense spare suliicient of its revenue to place his family in comfortable circumstances, such as

the dependents on so faithful and digtinguished a public servant are morally entitled to.