SIEVWRIGHT MEMORIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2196, 27 September 1907, Page 3

SIEVWRIGHT MEMORIAL.

UNVEILING CEREMONY.

Gisborno entered wholo-Jioartodly into .the enjoyment of the Holiday, and the loyal observance >by tlio business houses of the Mayor’s request to close for the full day, and the liberal display of flags and bunting on all sides, is worthy of commendation. Happily, though the outlook the previous evening did not - ' augur well for the holiday, the weather remained fine, but during (the greater part of tiio day a boisterous gale raged. This had the etfeot of enveloping the town in clouds of dust, the municipal 'water-carts being quite unable to cope with tho nuisance. The programme mapped out was carried out in Its entirety, and served to fill in the time interestingly enough. The proclamation did net attract any vast crowd—quite excusable in view of the dust fiond m Gladstone-rond—but the unveiling ceremony drew "the crowd like a mag- j net After luncheon the river bank was the rendezvous for the opening of tho regatta season, tho number of spectators being probably the largest yet recorded. Sports and pastimos were in the ascendant, cricket, hockey, golf, and football all claiming their adherents. At night the concert at the Theatre was accorded liberal patronage, and a bazaar-and minor engagements absorbed portion of tlio holiday crowd. Dominion Day tho first certainly passed off very pleasantly, and its inclusion in the list of statutory holidays, it appears, would bo relished by the bulk of the population. After the reading of tho Dominion proclamation yesterday, the public adjourned on masse to the site of the Sievwright memorial fountain in Peel-street, where the throng was considerably augmented by later arrivals. The memorial pedestal was draped -with a flag, and the whole monument tastefully decked with floral _ tributes, a laurel wreath crowning .the summit of the obelisk. Garlands of flowers likewise decorated the lamp-stand adjacent. The Mayor and Mayoress were supported, on the pedestal steps, by the ladies of the memorial committee and a number of prominent citizens

INTRODUCTORY. The Mayor, in his introductory remarks, said that the beautiful monument they saw before them was an evidence of the great esteem in ■which .the late Mrs. Sievwright was universally regarded, her life’s work having won wide recognition both from those who were associated with her in the work and the general public. THE UNVEILING. Mrs. Townley (the Mayoress) then formallv unveiled the memorial. FRIEND OF THE SALVATION ARMY.

Mrs. Morris, a member of the Salvation Army, addressed the gathering. No doubt many would wonder, she said, why the Salvation Army were there to take part in such a ceremony. It was not known to them, perhaps, that the late Airs. Sievwright had been one of the Army’s dearest friends, and one of the warmest supporters in their special work of uplifting the fallen. She was one of those women whose sympathies were always with a good cause. The speaker first became associated with the departed lady in visiting the poor and afflicted, having first met her in a home of sorrow. They all knew her kind heart and large sympathies, and the Salvation Army helped her where they could, and she helped the Army where possible. Knowing, therefore, of her life spent in useful work, it was not only a duty but a pleasure to be represented on this occasion. It was very fitting to have the monument in that form, a drinking fountain, and the speaker believed that it would have fully met the views of the deceased lady, who was always an advocate and worker on behalf of temperance. The women of Gisborne bad now done their 7jart in having the monument erected, and it rested with the men, the townspeople generally, to keep it- in good, order. With such a fountain there would be no need* for men to enter the public-houses to quench their thirst. (Laughter.) The fountain would serve- to keep in remembrance the good works of the deceased lady. (Applause.) The speaker concluded with an appropriate Scriptural quotation regarding the fountain of living .waters; men and women drinking thereof would never thirst .again. LOYAL CITIZEN AND KIND FRIEND.

Mr. C. A. Do Luutour said that Gisborne did well, that day in doing honor to the memory of a loyal citizen and a kind friend; but they were taking part in more than Gisborne’s recognition of Mrs. Sievwright’s services. New Zealand through them was doing honor to a brave lady and a good woman. (Applause.) Mrs. Sievwright’s character had two sides, perhaps not altogether consciously. Up to her strength, following in Hip footsteps, she went about doing good. Many a one knew the nervous throb of that sympathising attendant at the bed of suffering, sharing the snffer.ing with every nerve of that frail body. Then there was ,the educational side of her work. She 'was trying to educate women to their-'rights, their privileges, and their duties, and also to get men to recognise the highest Ideal thit could he placed before them of what, a woman should be. Besides that there was the life contemplative and intellectual; reverencing her conscience as her king. She tried to get nearest the truth, perhaps after all "the highest end; it was not to h* inf illible. but to be true to one’" r-if. and in all things and above all things in that quest for truth M-!!. Sievwviji'ht was true to all sb- balbwoil to lie true to liereelf. She might have felt at times that she had lost the way, but limitations were human, and if the shadow at times nnpeared over that life of contemplation and intellectual thought, might they not believe that dn the end, when nightshades were no more, she would find perfeot peace and rest with the loyal and true who shall see His face. The students of To Rau Collego at this stage sang "Hail. Smiling Morn,” with impressive effect. SEX, NOT SELF.

Mr. AV. Sievwright, who was _ almost overcome at first with emotion,' said there were many things ho would like to say, but be scarcely felt able. Ho joined with all his heart in commemorating the life of a wise and a good woman. As they all know —he perhaps better than anyone elso —she was a woman of more than ordinary intellectual power, having cultivated her mind, besides having a deeply moral .and sympathetic nature. Her whole aim in life from the time he first knew her, 45 years ago, was to serve her sex rather than to benefit herself. That was her special characteristic —service to others. He sometimes found himself wondering whether beyond the vale of life she.had a living individuality still. • He did not know their feelings, but he felt the profound silence beyond the grave. He was perfectly sure that everything was well ordered and right in accordance with the intern al law, mi el when the day dawned they would know a little more. That was all anybody could say. He had the consolation that her life told its tale, and that what she had said and done left a living influence for good. She had left “footprints on the sands of time,” and though departed still epoke to them. ' Brigadier Albistoti 6ang a fine solo, “The City of Gold.” A BRIGHT EXAMPLE.

Mr. AV. F. Crawford also spoke. In October last they had unveiled a memorial to ia great navigator. The present memorial was a worthy companion to the one that had been raised to Captain Cook. Mrs. Siev■wright’s work. was cumulative. Ho felt that her influence would bo felt amongst the ladies who had worked with her, and hoped that her mantle had fallon on one of her co-workers. The work Mrs. Sievwright had done Should make Gisborno very proud of

her, and ho a lasting incentive to others. Mrs. Siovwright was one of those greatly impressed by the services of the great nurso, Miss Nightingale, as was shown throughout her useful life. For moro than half a century, also, she had devoted her groat energies and intellectual powor to the advancement of her sex, of whom she was one of its greatest ornaments. The ladies were greatly indebted to her for the privilege or the frincltaso which they enjoyed today. Gisborne, by putting lip this memorial, had risen very much in his estimation, and ho was sure of ovoryono who thought about it. It raised the standard of the town to recognise mon and women who had devoted thoir livos for the sako of their fellows. Ho hoped all would try to make thoir lives as ihers was—sublime.

/.UNIVERSAL RESPECT. Mr. W. L. Rees spolco of the day’s ceremonies. All through history birth and death wore closely allied. Some of them had not soon eye to eye with Mrs. Siovwright; thov could not all be expected to think alike; but there wore none who did not esteem, respect, and honor her from the bottom of their hearts. Apologies received that day showed there wore many far and wido who, if possible, would have been present on the occasion to show honor to the remembrance of a good woman. A WOMEN'S MONUMENT TO A WOMAN. Airs. Scott, secretary to the Alernorial Committee, formally handed the monument over to the Council, counselling that it should be kept in good order. In thanking subscribers for assistance, she mentioned this was the first instance that had come under her notice whero women had orocted a monument to a woman’s memory. The Alayor accepted the charge on behalf of the Council and citizens. He promised that the memorial would be preserved to tho best of thoir powor. Tho ceremony then terminated with a Band selection and the National Anthem.. . -•-a, A largo number took the opportunity of more closely inspecting the handsome memorial, the cost of which was £175. It bears tho following inscriptions:—“lnasmuch as ye have done it unto one of tho least of these My chidren, ye have done it unto Ale.—Aratthew XXV., 40.”—“Ever a friend to the friendless and an uncompromising upholder of all that is merciful, temperate, and just.”—' “Erected by her fellow workers, in grateful recognition of the self-sacri- 1 firing life work of Alargaret Home Sievwright, 1844-1905.”

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. A large number of messages were received from those unable to bo present. The Hon. J. Carroll telegraphed: “In thanking you for the kind invitation to the ceremony of unveiling the Sievwright fountain, I much regret that my official duties prevent my being present to do honor to the memory of one who, during her life, gained the love and esteem of the community, and who has given to us many evidences of benevolence and kindness of charity judiciously bestowed, and of earnest work in tho interests of humanity. She has left behind her footsteps on the sands of time, and though no doubt she would have preferred that only by her deeds she should be known, still for our own sakes it is well that we ihould preserve and cherish by means of a monument examples that wo would all do well to follow. I trust the function wil prove in every respect a success, and that all who see and use the fountain will realise that it is there to commemorate the life voik of an earnest seeker after good and an esteemed citizen.”— J Carroll .

Air. Geo. Laurenson, AI.H.R., wrote regretting that his Parliamentary duties prevented him attending, and added : “I would have liked very much to be present, and so to have helped to do honor to the memory of one who did so much -in her day and generation for the good of manhood, and whoso name will, I believe, be held in honor and esteem by generations yet unborn.” Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, stated: “Unfortunately, my engagements prevent my attending. I need not say that I am very glad the good work of Airs. Sievwright has not been frogotten in the town in which she so long dwelt.” Lady Stout also expressed regret at being unable to attend.

Mrs. Ballance, wife of the late ■John Ballance, also wrote, expressing appreciation of Mrs. Sievwright’s many nobles qualities. Mrs. K. Sheppard and Mrs. AVebb sent regrets at being unable to be present. The following telegram was amongst the many received: “Congratulations from Canterbury Women’s Institute to the women of Gisborne on the honor they are doing to the memory of a noble life.—A. Wells.” Airs. Sampson telegraphed from Grey mouth: “Regret absence to-day. Alav Mrs. memory remain as fresh in our hearts as the water flowing through the fountain. -—Fanny Sampson.”