Farewell Mark Bate,
by Chas. Meek
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Published in the Nanaimo Free Press, Sept. 3, 1927, shortly after the announcement of Mark Bate's death while on a holiday to his birthplace in Birmingham England. Mark Bate was the first Mayor of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. |
Nanaimo city truly mourns today
Her oldest citizen has passed away.
He was a man of dignity and worth
And he knew this city from its birth.
His sprightly walk we will not soon forget
Nor glad his smile for everyone he met.
He was nearly ninety when he died
At his old birthplace on the other side.
His death has left us sad and desolate
For all will miss our dear old friend Mark Bate.
Like many men whose influence has spread
Widely on earth long after they were dead,
He lived and laboured in a narrow sphere,
For all his active life was spent right here.
His name to future ages will go down
Linked with the growth and progress of this town.
Nor could a life have been more nobly spent,
This city is his living monument.
One of the founders of this western state,
It still reflects the genius of Mark Bate.
Could I but sing as real poets can,
I might do simple justice to this man.
Might throw a moving picture on the screen
And show you all the changes he has seen.
When he was born steam had just begun
To subtly change the life of everyone.
Now railroads span the continents and we
In palaces may rush across the sea.
On one of these is coming borne in state
All that remains to us of our Mark Bate.
He was born in England, from which place
Has come in modern times the ruling race,
To rule the earth both on the land and sea
Would seem to be her children's destiny.
Mark inherited the genius of his sires,
Which always labours upward and aspires.
At last he reached this hamlet in the wood,
He looked upon it and pronounced it good.
Was many years our mayor and magistrate
Now he is gone - farewell to you Mark Bate.
View family group sheet of Mark Bate
Bate family-related links
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