Ward the Man.

In this brief sketch of one of our greatest of New Zealand public men, it is not needful to go into political history to any extent; that is dealt with competently and authoritatively in the biography already mentioned, the last work of that grand old journalistic comrade of ours, the greatly-beloved Robert Loughnan. He wrote with inside knowledge of the political machine of his time. No doubt I have omitted mention of some of Sir Joseph's important political acts. But it is rather the personal note that appeals to me.

I write of Ward as it was my good fortune to know him—a pleasant, clever, brisk, active man, with a wide range of interests. It was probably his Irish ancestry that gave him his sunny nature, his traits of generosity and quick sympathy. His kindly nature was not repressed by political antagonism. I like to dwell on his generous genuine nature. It is natural for a man in power to smile on his friends; it is not so easy to be generous to fierce opponents. Hot speeches once over, Ward was the most genial of companions. Honours came to him, but he was never puffed up. He was a firm and steadfast friend, therein he was closely akin to his great chief, Seddon. If he made some enemies, as every strong and prominent politician does, he had an army of life-long friends. Thousands of New Zealanders have warm and kindly memories of Joseph Ward; he lives in the hearts of his friends, his fellow-country people, and that is the best monument any man or woman can have.