LATE DR. M'ARTHUR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1888, 24 October 1913, Page 9

LATE DR. M'ARTHUR

6 DIED PEN IN HAND. I THE "PEOPLE'S MAGISTRATE." TOUCHING TRIBUTES. Tho hush of an unwonted sadness hung like a pall over the Law Courts yesterday morning. Thoro was no need to ask what it was all about. Overnight word had como df the unexpected alid sincerely lamented death of Dr. M'Arthur, S.M. Now Zealand's most noted Magistrate had passed away. Tho officials of tlio Courts moved about tho corridors and' offices quietly, pausing now and then to whisper to one another; lawyers, young and old, recalled incidents * of tho dead Magistrate's kindly consideration, his wonderful faculty in measuring cnaractor and detecting humbug, and his flashes of humoi'ir—always of an innocuous character —and pressmen related instances of his courtesy and helpfulness whore an intricate law point had clqudod tho issue. All appeared to be sensible of a friend lost, of a remarkable personality cut off in tho primo of his' powors, of a good and upright Magistrate lost to tho judiciary of the city. Tho Keynotes—Sympathy and Dlscsrnment. Dr. M'ArthUrheld many positions, all of which he filled with distinction to himself and satisfaction to everyone concerned. As Coroner ho' was always sympathetic to relatives ofitho deceased, and so it was in whatever/capacity he aoted—sympathy was the keynote. He was Chairman of'the Wellington and Hutt Licensing Committee, chairman of the North Island Railway Appeal Board, chairman of the Tramway Appeal Board, for Wellington and Karori, and latterly chairman of the Tramway Inquiry Board re the death of Conductor Bredon. He al3o acted as chairman of the Royal Commission which inquired into tho cause of fifes on board ship iii .wool, flax, and other combustibles; and as chairman of the Royal Commission which inquired into the West Coast Settlement Reserves. But ' it was as chairman of tho Prisoners' Aid Society that Dr. M'Arthur's sympathy found most scope, and many are the men who have been saved from a downward career by his kindly words and pecuniar}; assistance. Last Hours. After dinner at tho Occidental Hotel, ■where tho deceased Magistrate and Mrs. M'Arthur resided, Dr. M'Arthur returned to his offico across the road-to finish some writing, telling Mrs. M'Arthtir that ho would not be very long. Hour | Bucceedod hour, and as ho had not returned at midnight Mrs. M'Arthur telephoned to the police station, and Constable Butters (watchhouse-keeper) and Constablo Thomson proceeded to Dr.M'Arthur's: office: Knocking and receiving no reply, thby entered tho room and saw (as tlioy thought) Dr. M'Arthur asleep in his chair, his head resting on his arm, which was across tho desk, and his pen still in his hand. They found, on closor approach, that it was not sleep, but death, and it seemed to have come whilst signing papers. Dr. M'Arthur is survived bv a widow but no children. His 'brother-in-law, resides at Lumsden, Southland, arid there are several nephews. 'Tribute From Bench and Bar. For the second time on. successive days about a_ hmidred.'iinombM'sof r.the Bar assembled together out of' respect for one of . their leaders, but yesterday's . gathering in the Magistrate's Court was of 'a', totally/'different character from' that of' tho previous day in the Supreme Court, when congratulations were offered to Sit Joshua William's on his elevation to tho Privy Council. On this occasion,' Dr. M'Arthur, accompanied, by Mr. W. Q. Hiddell, who attended in their official capacities as Stipendiary Magistrates to join in the congratulations, and only 24 hours later Mr. Riddell was alone on tho Bench, addressing an even larger gathering of tho Bar, lamenting the death of his companion of the previous day and his colleaguo for many years past. On Wednesday, tho business of tho Magistrate's Court was adjourned, ,so that Dr. ■ M'Arthur could join in the congratulations to His Honour Sir Joshua Williams; yesterday the business was adjourned out of respect for tho memory of Dr. M'Arthur himself. When Mr. Riddell entered the Court and took his seat .next to tho chair occupied only tho previous' day by 'his 'deceased colleague, the Court was filled with barristers and solicitors,_ all of whom remained standing during tho impressive speeches which represented tho thought of all present. Amongst those prosent were the Hon. A. L. Heirdman (Attorney-General) and Sir .John Findiay, K.C.,. (ex-Attorney General). " -• Mr. Riddell.—A Touching Speech. Mr. Riddell, S.M., speaking with deep emotion, said they were met together in extremely sad circumstances. Dr. M'Arthur —"our Doctor," and his esteemed colleague—was ■with them the previous day apparently in his' usual state- of health. At night ho returned to his office to completo some work that had been'begun in that Court, and whilst seated in his chair the Angel of Death appeared. Ho was called; he died. The suddenness of that shock was such 'that tlioy could scarcely realise that Dr. M'Arthur was no longer with them. "Our Doctor," esteemed, respected, kind-hearted, and beloved by all his staff, by tho profession, and by the people, "had gone from amongst them. No longer, would they see his well-known figure about those rooms, or exchango courtesies with him on meeting him. Dr. M'Arthur was well fitted for the position which ho occupied so long and so well. Ho was kind y in disposition, courteous both on and l off the Bench, impartial in his judgments and in the exercise of his duties' as Magistrate. His was a well-known figure; everyone knew him. Continuing in a broken-voice, Mr. Riddell said, "It is almost impossible for me-to express myself as I should like to on this occasion. It is a sorrowful occasion; wo aro all deeply grieved at tho loss of so dear a friend; we remember his kind words and the kindly character of his wholo nature. Wherever ho was his characteristics were such that it was impossible for anyone to be depressed in his presence. He was sympathetic, and when asked to give advico ho gave it willingly. He sympathised with those who required SYmpathy, and when necessity arose his sympathies took practical form. We deeply grievo at his sudden departure, and in the midst of our grief wo sympathise with his widow, who is left alone. Her life-partner has gone; one who loved her and was always with licr. She needs your sympathy, and I hope that tho knowledge that we sympathise and grieve with her will help her to bear the heavy blow that lias fallen upon her. I can add no more." Tho Attorney-General's Tribute. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, who spoke on behalf of the Bar, said ho thought all the members of the profession present could understand how deeply the news had affected Mr. Riddell, because he was in every sense of tho word the brother-Magistrate of their lato friend. He iwished to allude briefly to the tragic event which occurred in that building the previous night. When he reached home after midnight, and was apprised of the fact that Dr. M'Arthur, whom he had seen in" tho morning bright and cheerful at tho Supreme Court, apparently in the' vigour of life, had been suddenly called hence, ho received a shock such as many old friends of the

? deceased had received. Dr. M'Arthur v was an institution in that city. As president of the "People's Court," and in tho administration of justice he had managiid to grow into tho hearts of tho people. Ho had gained their confi- ■ donee, and ho had earned their respect. By all classes of tho community lie was „ revered and regarded with affection. It had been his (tho speaker's) pleasure and privilege to have known tho deceased, for many years, and he could fairly say that lie was ono of his intimate friends. Many acts of kindness ho had recoived at his hands, and ho had no doubt that many of his learned ;s friends present had similur experiences. ;s • d , "A Humarto Man." Dr. M'Arthur was essentially qualid fied to sit in that Court. He was essentially a humano man; and ho_understood human nature. Ho had those 0 kindly feelings to which ho had refer--0 red, and the cases which' canio before o him wore porhaps not treated with the l " legal insight which they might cxperid ence in higher Courts, but tho senße of s justice that Dr. M'Arthur brought* to " bear had earned for him tho placo ho had long occupied in tho "People's l " Court" of that city. . Ho had himself r noticed that even in tho caso of/pris- - - oners appearing bofore Dr. M'Arthur, ' his kindly word, and~his sense of liu- '• mour had lightened the punishment J which it became his duty to inflict. He " knew, also, that in matty cases men a who had suffered their punishment, e when they were in want and needed assistance, had.gone to Dr. M'Arthur, and received from him actual monetary assistance in somo cases, and tho best possible advico in every caso. o Relations With the Bar in the "People's 0 court." , s As to the profession, thoy all rcspect--1 ed him. No man who had practised in 6 that Court during tho last ton or •J twelvo years, and had come in contact with Dr. M'Arthur, but had the great- ' JestJ est respect for him. The youngest 1 member of tlio Bar was always treated "" with tho greatest, kindness and consid- > eration. Dr. M'Arthur recognised y that the administration of justice meant the discovery of truth, arid ho alwayß helped the witnesses and members of j the Bar with his kindly hints and sug--3 gestions. j Mrs. M'Arthur. B "Beforo I resume my seat," added j. tho Attomoy-General, "it is only Tight i and proper that I should make a brief allusion to tho sorrowing widow. Wo knew B that Dr. M'Arthur and his wiftfTiad the j deepest affection one for the other, and B in every sense of the word deponded upon one another. Mrs. M'Arthur is now left alone, and I beliove I am expressing tho feelings and tho sentiments of overybody in this Court when I'say 1 our deepest sympathy goes out to ■ her in her great sorrow." 1 Justices and Police. £ Mr. J. B. Speed, J.P., on behalf of the Justices of the Peace, expressed thß admiration, love, and esteem which tlioy all had for their departed friend, j It had been a pleasure for tho justices to sit alongside Dr. M'Arthur, and they I greatly appreciated tho kindness with j which he treated them and the good ad- .. vice ho had always meted out. Ho expressed tho deep regret of tho Justices 0 and their sympathy with the widow. Superintendent J. W. Ellison, on be-, j half of the police, said that as a very 3 old friend of Dr. M'Arthur, he felt deeply grieved that ho had boen so r tragically called away. As had been remarked. Dr. M'Arthur was a map of J such .kindly feeling and genial nature that he was loved and respected by evoryono, ovon by those, who had the misfortune to como beforo him for sentence. He added his sympathy on he--0 half of the officers of tho. Court, who ? had, indeed, lost arfyiend.;?.Tho Court was then' adjourned until B Tuesday,- out,of respect for the de--5 ceased. ' 1 Sympathy of Accountants. b At last evening's meeting of tlio Well lington branch of tho New "Zealand Ini stitute of Accountants a resolution of - sympathy with Mrs. M'Arthur on tho - death oi her husband was _ passed. - Mention was made, of tho services rendered to tho society by the Into Dr. r M'Arthur. ill the valued capacity as i, lecturer, and in othor ways. | At tho Hospital Board. s Before proceeding with tho ordinary n business at the meeting of the Hospii- tal and' Charitable Aid Board yester- •. day, tho chairman (Rev. W. A. Evans) .- saicl that tho board ought to placo on I- record its regret at, tho death of Dr. !- A. M'Arthur, S.M., and pass a vote y of sympathy with Mrs. • M'Arthur. Tho deceased Magistrate had, said the t chairman, renderea many and valur able services to New Zealand, particus larly in Hospital and Charitable Aid tl work. Ho wa3 a man of a large heart 'f and strict integrity. Tho chairman had 0 had the pleasure of working'' with him for somo years on the Licensing * Bench, and'had always found him to '• bo a very fair-minded man. Theahoard r passed a resolution of sympatEy'in y silence. RESOLUTION BY"*TRAM»CON- . • FERENCE. t A resolution of regret at the death of Dr. M'Arthur was passed at yesteris day's Tramway Conference. Tho Mayor e of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luko) said il that by tho death of Dr. M'Arthur the d city, and the Dominion as a wholo, had ,t suffered a scvore loss. Dr. M'Arthur d had been associated with tramways if for somo years as chairman of 'tho ,ApI. peal Board. He had been highly roll spected throughout Now Zealand, and tho speaker felt sure that all classes »■. of tho community must feel deep regret 1) that ho. had passed away. is Mr. P. M. Mackay (Auckland) en--6 dorsed tho Mayor's remarks. Dr. '• M'Arthur had for a jong time been n associated with public life in Auckland, 0 and' the peoplo of tho northern,city had '• learnt to have the greatost respect for ® him, and to value his work. As a " teacher, Coroner, and Stipendiary Mag- '> istrato he had rendered most meritori- '» c-us service. Aucklanders would regret 6 very much tho death of Dr. M'Arthur. The Hon. W. Fraser (Minister of ° Public Works) said that lie would like ;> to add a few words to what had been 7 said by the previous speakers about Dr. „ M'Arthur and his good qualities. Tho news of his death had come as a groat . shock to all. Tho loss was a great g one, and Dr. M'Arthur would bo widely ' missed. ,'j A motion of regret was unanimously ! r adopted, members of the conference ris- , ~ing to'their feet. ■ d o OUNEDIN COURT. (By Tclcgrnpb.—Prisi Association-' Dunedin, October 23. , At tho,Magistrate's'Court this morn\l ing, Mr. Widdowson, S.M., and Mr. ft Calvort, representing tho Law Society, l 0 paid graceful tributes to tho memory r- of tho late Dr. M'Arthur, and referred with regret to his death. Tho Court then adjourned. 'n A BROTHER MAGISTRATE. (By Tolcgraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christcllliroh, October 23. The news of tho unexpected death of e Dr. M'Arthur greatly shocked his t many friends in Cliristchurchl "As - Senior Magistrate of tho Dominion," o said Mr. 11. W. Bishop, S.M., to a g "News" representative to-day, "I e deeply regret to hear of Dr. M'Arthur's . death". I havo known him for over c thirty years, and his death will bo a distinct loss to the Bench. He was a man of considerable literary ability; he d was also a sound lawyer, and his early n training gave him a considerable knowd ledge of and insight into human nature, r- Ho was intensely sympathetic in the n view ho took of matters which are ala ways a cause of trouble to a magisio I trate. and ho always tried to get at |

the inwardness of all contentious matter that camtj beforo him. Ho was always disposed to help tho erring ones to'go .straight, rather than to regard punishment as' tlio only remedy. He .was very genial in his intercourse with his fellows, and one felt that ho always saw to bright sido of things . . . In my opinion, he was a typo of Magistrate, especially for a largo city like AVellington, whoso place will tie very hard to fill." A short service is to bo 'hold 'by the R-ev. Gibson Smith at tlio' Now Occidental Hotel at ten minutos to ten, just prior to tlio departure of tho funeral.