MR. EDWARD STAFFORD

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

MR. EDWARD STAFFORD

• A troll-known figure in the local legal sphere tvas removed yesterday morning in the death of Mr. Edward Stafford" barrister and solicitor. The parents' of the deceased came to New Zealand by tho Aurora, one of the first five of the New Zealand Land' Company's ships, ' arriving in Wellington on January 22, 1840. For years _ Mr. Stafford, sen., conducted a tailoring business on Lambton Quay. Mr. Edward Stafford was born in 1845, and after leaving school was articled to the late Hon. Robert Hart, in. whoso office he rose to be managing clerk. Qualifying in 1870, ho bccame (in 1876) junior partner to the late Mr. William Sefton Moorhouse,, ar.;l on the dissolution of that partnership tho following year, Mr. Stafford entered tho Crown Law Office, and as Assistant Crown. Law Officer assisted to draft many measures which still'appear in tho Statute Book. He also was tho first Examiner of Titles, under the Land (Transfer Act, and carried out the duties of Deputy Commissioner of Stamps. Later he entered into partnership with Mr. (afterwards Sir) Patrick Buckley, which firm subsequently took in Sir. William Barton, and on his retirement Mr. H. S. Fitzherbert, and, on - the latter's retirement,, Mr. C. H. Tread-' well. When Sir Patrick Buckley was; elevated to the Bench, Mr. W. H. Field was taken into partnership. Later still Mr. Field entered into practice on his own account, and for the past two years the old firm has existed under the title of Stafford cind Stafford, the deceased's' son, Mr. Sidney Stafford, being taken into partnership. As a lawyer the late Mr. Stafford' was held in much respect, and was an admitted authority on all matters pertaining to real estate. He was one of the oldest practitioners in New Zealand, and as one of the "old school" in manner he occupied with dignity, tho positions of president of the Law Society and member of the Council of Law Reporting. Mr. Stafford only' made one attempt to enter Parliament", on which occasion he was defeated by the Hon. Charles Johnston, M.L.C.,'but from 1879 to 1882 he occupied a seat on the City Council. He leaves a widow and adult family of three, Mis tee F. and E. Stafford, and Mr. Sidney Stafford, of. Johnsonville.■ The interment (private), will take place at the Bolton Street' Cemetery at D a.m. to-day. At last evening's meeting of the City Council the Mayor referred to' the'ser-' vices the late Mr. Edward Stafford renthe city. The Mayor said that. Mr. Stafford was a prominent figure in civic affairs in the early seventies. The. council passed a resolution of condolence with the relatives of the deceased. 1

At the Onslow Borough Council laik night tho clerk was instructed to, send a letter of sympathy to ex-Couricillor Stafford on tlie death of his father.