his family motto: 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'"-The Times, November 4. Sir Thomas was the head of a family pre-eminent in the pursuit of philanthropy. He was born in the year of Queen Victoria's accession and was the grandson of the first baronet, the Thomas Fowell Buxton who was associated with Wilberforce in the anti-slavery campaign. His grandmother, the first Lady Buxton, was Hannah Gurney, one of whose sisters was Elizabeth Fry. "The late baronet was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, and although he was perhaps never a keen politician he sat in Parliament for King's Lynn from 1865 to 1868. He was a partner in the brewing firm of Truman, Hanbury, & Co. He was also heavily interested in the British East Africa Company. The family seat is at Warlies, Essex, and Sir T. F. Buxton took a very great interest in county affairs there and in Norfolk, where the Buxton interest has been strong for many generations. "He was at different times Deputy-Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Norfolk, was J.P. for both Norfolk and Essex, and Verderer of Epping Forest. In connexion with Epping Forest the public owes him gratitude for action on more than one occasion. In his earlier days he had been a well-known member of the Alpine Club, and had a climbing reputation for having made the ascent of the last of the unconquered peaks in the Monte Rosa chain. "Sir Thomas was a robust Liberal, a very strong sympathizer with the Evangelical Movement in the Church of England, and was, in keeping with his family traditions, a lifelong supporter of the Anti-Slavery Association and the Aborigines' Protection Society. "In 1895 he accepted the Governorship of South Australia, but resigned after a very brief tenure of office, during which he had contrived, however, to see something of all the Australian States. Sir Thomas was a great friend of W. E. Forster, and they travelled together in the United States forty years ago. 'The whole Buxton family has been celebrated for its association with the cause of International Peace; but since the war broke out, there is not a family in the country which has thrown itself with more large-hearted enthusiasm into work connected with recruiting, or hospital provision, or some form of relief activity."-Daily News. "Apart from his own work, the name of Fowell Buxton is one impossible to mention without the memory of fights well won, of patience in adversity, of high courage, and of an unselfishness by which, as Sir George Trevelyan has said very finely in speaking of Sir Thomas's grandfather and his associates, These men, who while the struggle lasted were prodigal of health and ease, in the day of triumph disclaimed each for himself, even that part of the merit which their religion allowed them to ascribe to human effort and self sacrifice.' That may stand very well for all the Buxtons, and not least for Sir Thomas and his sons, who have done so much for the people of the Balkans. Sir Thomas died in a dark hour for the cause which he held dear, but he may have seen a vision beyond these outcries-a vision hidden, for the present, from our eyes."-South Wales Daily News. "It was a great privilege to enjoy his friendship. One of his greatest charms was his graceful courtesy. He was so unaffected and modest, so sympathetic, so full of real kindness of heart. He lived to do good, and every worthy cause was sure of his generous interest and support. In his case one saw the happiness and beauty of family life in a Christian home." -The Vicar of Cromer in The Record. PROPOSED MEMORIAL TO SIR T. F. BUXTON. THE suggestion has been made that those who have been privileged to know and admire the devoted work of our late President, particularly on behalf of Native Races, would welcome the opportunity of giving permanent expression to their appreciation of him and his work. In this connexion our attention has been drawn to the somewhat dilapidated condition of the Memorial (Drinking Fountain) erected in Parliament Square to the memory of the first Thomas Fowell Buxton and his colleagues, in recognition of their great work against Slavery. In view of the serious burden imposed by the war and the Society's urgent need of funds, the Committee hesitated to make another appeal, in addition to the many public demands which are appearing daily, but its members felt that the appreciation of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton's work was so deep and widespread, that it should not be difficult by limiting the amount asked to a maximum of One Guinea to raise from 150 friends and associates the sum necessary to renovate this Memorial, and affix a Tablet in memory of our late President. The fact that the renovation of this Memorial is imperative, and if not executed now will eventually become a public charge, makes the proposal a practical as well as a sentimental one. The Treasurer of the fund, Mr. E. W. Brooks, has already received a substantial sum in response to the appeal, but the fund is not yet complete, and donations up to the maximum of one guinea will be gratefully received at Denison House by the Treasurer. The Presidency of the Society. Quarterly Motes. WE are able with great pleasure to announce that Sir T. F. Victor Buxton, eldest son of our late President, has, after full consideration, accepted the invitation of the Committee to take his father's place as President of the Society. Sir Victor's decision, which comes as we go to press, will be hailed with the highest satisfaction by all our members. AT a meeting of the Synod of the Anglican Church in Native House Western Equatorial Africa held in Lagos last May, the Nigeria. following resolution was passed : Rule in That this Synod extends to the inhabitants of the Niger Delta its congratulations on the Repeal of the Native House Rule Ordinance, and desires to convey to His Excellency the Governor-General, and to the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society, an expression of its appreciation of the service rendered to the people of the Delta by the repeal of this Ordinance. Portuguese the serviçaes. ACCORDING to the Seculo of November 18, the "Repatriation Fund" for the serviçaes of San Thomé has now reached a total of £161,032. This fund, it will be remembered, is obtained by making regular deductions from the wages of The Presidency of the Society. RESOLUTION OF COMMITTEE, NOVEMBER 5, 1915. Ar the November Meeting of the Committee, the question of the Presidency was considered, and it was unanimously resolved :-- That Sir T. F. V. Buxton, Bart., be invited to succeed his father as President of the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society, and that a sub-Committee be appointed consisting of-the Officers of the Society. The Solicitor, Dr. R. W. Felkin, Rev. H. R. Gamble, Rev. R. C. Gillie, Mr. Henry Gurney and Mrs. King Lewis, to convey to him the unanimous desire of the Committee that he should accept the Presidency of the Society in succession to his father; and generally to act in regard to the appointment. of a new President. A letter was accordingly forwarded to him in the following terms:DEAR SIR, At the meeting of the Committee last week we were requested to convey to you the enclosed resolution and to place before you for consideration the unanimous invitation of our Committee that you will assume the Presidency of this Society in succession to your father, the late Sir T. F. Buxton, Bart. The members of the Committee are glad to feel that in so doing they are inviting to this important position one who is already a Vice-President of the Society, and who, by virtue of his name, his interest and his experience of questions relating to Native Races is very specially fitted to carry on the traditions of Thomas Fowell Buxton, and of the founders of the Society, and also of our late President. In conveying to you this invitation there are certain features of our work which we desire particularly to bring to your notice :-Financially the position of the Society can be favourably compared with that of other philanthropic organizations. The difference between its normal income and expenditure seldom exceeds £400 per annum, and since 1910 satisfactory progress has been made towards our ideal of raising the normal income to the level of the normal expenditure. It is very generally agreed that since the amalgamation of the two Societies. we have been enabled, under our late President's guidance, to increase the extent and efficiency of our work to the highest level in its history. But a greater work lies before us; at the conclusion of the War grave problems affecting Native Races will come up for consideration, and opportunities will present themselves for rendering to Native Races services only second in importance to that of the abolition of slavery. In conclusion, we desire on behalf of the Committee to assure you that whilst we have in view the possibility of obtaining after the war a very influential Chairman of the Committee, we can see no one who is marked out by tradition and personal fitness as you, Sir, are to fill the position so long and honourably occupied by the late President. We feel confident that this communication will receive your sympathetic consideration, and beg to add that if you need further information upcn any part of the Society's organization and work we shall be happy to confer with you at some date convenient to yourself. We are, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, E. W. BROOKS (Treasurer) FRANCIS WM. Fox (Vice-Chairman) H. R. GAMBLE R. C. GILLIE HENRY GURNEY GEORGINA KING LEWIS W. CAREY MORGAN TRAVERS BUXTON (Secretary) JOHN H. HARRIS (Organizing Secretary). As we go to press a telegram and letter conveying Sir Victor Buxton's acceptance of the post have been received. Further particulars as to this im portant appointment must be deferred to the next issue of the Reporter. Nigeria. IN September last the deputy of the Governor-General of Nigeria took the somewhat unprecedented step of inviting some leading natives to meet and confer with him on a measure which is exciting not a little opposition among the Native community, viz. the proposed Criminal Code. This wise and tactful action has given great satisfaction in the colony, as the extract quoted below from the Lagos Standard will show, and the Society forwarded a letter expressing appreciation to the Colonial Office in the following terms, which has been duly acknowledged and a copy transmitted to the Nigerian. Government. October 11, 1915. TO THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES. SIR,— The attention of this Society has been drawn to a recent reception by the Deputy of the Governor-General of Nigeria of certain leading natives in order to discuss the proposed Criminal Code. I beg to express the appreciation of our Committee of the holding of such a conference, as we believe that the provision by the Authorities of opportunities for the free interchange of views on matters of public interest between the Government and representatives of the Native community are of the highest value for preventing unrest and promoting a good understanding with the Natives of Crown. Colonies. I am to ask if a copy of this letter may be forwarded to the Deputy of the Governor-General of Nigeria. I am, &c., TRAVERS BUXTON. AN EVENTFUL DAY. Wednesday, the 1st September, should always be remembered as one of the most eventful days in the history of Nigeria, and indeed in the history of the British Colonies in West Africa. It was on that day that the deputy of the Governor-General invited to a conference some of the men of intelligence, education and substantial interests in the country, to discuss with him the Criminal Code Bill which is causing so much unrest and dissatisfaction among the people. This is distinctly a step in the right direction, and we hope that it will be followed up until the goal is reached, which is a substantive representation of the people in the government of their country. High morality demands that the statecraft of rulers should harmonize with the wishes and aspirations of the ruled, and this can only be attained by an assembly in which those who have vested interest in the country can take a substantial part in the deliberations of the government of that country.-Lagos Standard. Our West African Auxiliaries. NIGERIA. THE Rt. Rev. Bishop Tugwell of Western Equatorial Africa was kind enough to attend our October Committee meeting, and spoke appreciatively of the value of the Society's work in Nigeria, and of the stimulus afforded by Mr. Harris' visit to Lagos in 1911. |