OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2593, 15 October 1915, Page 6

OBITUARY.

HON. JOHN DUTHIE, M.L.C,

A. potont personality in tho commercial and political life of New Zealand passes henco in tho death of .Mr. John Duthio, M.L.C., who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Nai Nai (Lower I'lutt) at an early hour yestcrdav morning. Whether it was as Mayor of Wellington, chairman of the Harbour Board, president of tho Chamber of C'ommerco, or in the broader field of national politics tho late Mr. Duthie invariably displayed certain bold 1 'characteristics. lie was in most things a big man—big in courage, big in .fighting spirit, big in capacity, big in his public spiritedness, big in tho high standard of integrity he set for himself, and so rigidly adhered to in business life and in politics; big in his friendships, and big also in his dislikes. He never was a man of half-measures, and the soundness of his judgments and tho success which attended him were as much the result of the thoroughness of his methods as of the natural capacity with which he waa gifted. .

Bom at Kintore, Scotland, in 1841, ho received a sound education at the Aberdeen Grammar School. On leaving that establishment he was apprenticed to the ironmongery trade with Messrs. Glegg and Thompson, of that city. On the completion of his apprenticeship in Aberdeen he for some time acted as traveller for tho firm of Messrs. Cruickshank. Smart, and Company, ironmongers. This thorough grounding accounts in a largo measure for the important part he has played, in the iron trade of the Dominion. Seeing wider opportunities in newer lands, Mr. Duthio loft Home in 1863 by the ship Helvellyn, which made Auckland its first port of call. Less than three years afterwards saw him established in business in New Plymouth. In 1868 he removed to Wangariui, then- a rising township, and after 11 years' successful trading there, he came to Wellington, and established IJjo well-known firm of John Duthie and Co., a business which has developed steadily with the growth of the city and country. Without having been a member of the City Council, he was elected Mayor of tho City in 1889, and of his administration of tho affairs of Wellington municipality nothing but praise can be uttered. More than once he had been' asked to again occupy that important position, but always deolined. Equally valuable were his services as chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, of which body he was chairman in 1887 and 1888, and a member from May, 1883, to December, 1889, and always has he taken the liveliest interest in the affairs of the board. Mr. Duthie also occupied the position of chairman of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in 1887, and again in 1900. He has been associated with several of the more important of our enterprises as a •director, in which capacity his services were greatly valued hy his colleagues. That ne has always been a loyal Scot was evident by the manner in which ho gave support to all things Caledonian, being at one time president of the Wellington Caledonian Society, which body used to hoFd big athletic meetings annually on New Year's Day on the Basin Reserve. When on a visit to Scotland some years ago he was photographed in tho garb of old Gaul, and a copy hangs prominently in the pavilion of the Wellington Bowling Club, of which he was ono of the oldest members. He was also a .member ofi the Butt and Wanganui Bowling Clubs, and tho "Duthio Cup," played for annually between the three _ clubs mentioned, is proof. of his devotion to the national Scottish game. Mr; Duthie first bccitnic a member of Parliament in 1890, when he was elected to -represent tho City of Wellington. Threo years later he was re-elected as one of the City's members, his colleagues being Mr. (now Sir Francis) H. D. Bell and Sir Robert Stout. That was the first election in whioh tho Female Franchise Act was operative. There were those .who could not always see eye to eye with Mr. Duthie, but there were none who knew him who did not hold him- in tho highest respect for his political integrity and commercial probity. Whilst in Parliament he sat on the Opposition., benches, and was ono of the most downright and searching critics of the Seddon Administration. He.was especially strong in his treatment of financial questions, and though handicapped by a bad delivery as a public speaker; his keen grasp of the subject, his capacity for analytical detail, and his blunt outspokenness, made him a critic to bo feared, for though not delivered in the most effective manner, his speeches were stored with telling facts and figures, which, when reproduced in the pages of Hansard, and in the newspapers, provided valuable material for the more fluent--of his political associates. Li later years Mr. Duthie took an aotivo part in the formation and organisation of the Political Reform League, which ultimately brought about the election to office of the Massey Government. Some three years ago,he was called to the Legislative Council, an appointment which won almost'universal approval, and ho was a valued member of that branch of the Legislature at the time of his death';'

Mr. Duthie had been seriously indisposed for some weeks past, and the end was not altogether unexpected. Ho leaves a grown-up family of one daughter, Mrs. T. T. Miller (wife of the jnanager of the Bank of Australasia at Sunedin), and six sons—Messrs. 'William G. Duthie (who has for many years been closely associated' with the management of the firm of John Duthie and Co.), Mr. John Duthie, jun., Mr. Edward Duthie (who recently returned from Australia), Mr. Alfred Duthie (who is engaged in farming pursuits at Ohingaiti), Mr. Henry Duthie (of Palmerston North), and Mr. Leonard Duthie (engaged in fruit farming at Wakefield, Nelson). The flags on the publio buildings, Town Hall, Harbour Board, and principal commercial houses, were flown at half-mast yesterday as a mark of respect to the deceased. / The interment (which will be private) will take place to-morrow morning. TRIBUTE BY THE MAYOR. Referring to the death of tho Hon. Mr. Duthie, M.L.C., the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that the deatliof Mr. Duthie was a loss to tho community and to himself who had had extensive business relations extending over many the deceased gentleman. ]?rom the time Mr. Duthie had first commenced business in Wellington it had been recognised that he was a man of the very highest integrity —a strict but just man, whose word was always his bond.- _ As was in business, so was he in political and public affairs generally. He was Conservative in his politics, and his ideas were always marked by that caution and reserve which is so often found in men hailing from the north of tho Tweed, but whenever there was a genuino reform calculated to be of lasting benefit to the community it met with his interest and sympathy. But he liked to see a clear, road to a satisfactory end. In his politics he was a loyal friend, a doughty .opponent who always fought cleanly but indomitably, never giving in . whilst there was tho slightest hope. Once lie nailed his colours to tho mast there was no pulling them down. As a commercial man ho™ left an example well deserving of emulation. When the Wellington City Council met last evening the Mayor referred to the death of Mr. Duthie. His Wor-: ship said that the loss of Mr. Duthie was a considerable oi'o to the community. The lute Mr.'Duthie was a man ' noted foi bis trie, of £üblic affairs, liia.l

great honesty of purpose, and his clear and decided conviction of duty. One thing alone for which the public should not forget him was his Work in connection with the foundation of the Publio Library. His career 'was one which should act as a high incentive t>[ younger generations. The Mayormoved a vote of condolence with tho • family and relatives of th< deceased gentleman, and this was pass ed in silence.