OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 149, 13 March 1918, Page 4

OBITUARY

HON. A. T. MAGIMITY, M.L.C.

The death of the Hon. Andrew Thomas Maginnity occurred at Nelson yesterday, ivlr. Maginnity was in Foster's Hotel at Wanganui recently when the hotel was; burned down, and he caught a chill that night from which lie did not fully recover. He was not at once prostrated, but it was that chill which aocelerated iiis death.

The late Mr. Maginnity was born in Wellington in 1849, ot Irish parentage. His father was on the medical staff of the famous 65th Regiment, which fought here in the early Native wars. He was educated at the military school and-at Tooraath's Commercial and Grammar School in "Wellington. He passed the entrance examination for the Public Service in 1868, and lie at once entered the service as a junior clerk in the Treasury. He remained in the Public Service until 1887, holding the positions of chief clerk of .the Telegraph Department, Assistant Secretary of the Department, and officer in charge of the Post and Telegraph Office at Collingwood, as well as clerk of the Warden's and Magistrate's Courts there.

He had in the meantime qualified as a solicitor, and when he retired from the service in 1887 It was to take up the practice of law. In 1898 he was admitted as a barrister. For many years ho had been a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, England. The first torpedo corps was formed whilo he was Secretary of the Telegraph Department; it consisted principally Q,f employees of the service, and he was its captain for some time. For about eighteen months he was in 'command of II Battery of Artillery in Nelson. The late Mr. Maginnity,_ who was very' popular, took a prominent part in public affairs'. He was especially interested in educational matters, and up to the time of his death, was a member of the Victoria College Council. I-Te was called to the Legislative Qouncil on July 14, 1914. Ue late Mr. John Maginnity, of Wellington, was liis elder brother. TRIBUTES-FROM BENCH AND BAR, By Telegraph—Press Association. Nelson, March 12. In the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Chapman said lie learned with great regret of the death of Mr. Maginnity, who would bo a great loss to the Bar and the community of Nelson. Decoascd was a strenuous fighter, and always kept .the interest of his client to the forefront. He had, always found hiin a courteous, high-minded gentleman. Feeling references were also mado on behalf of the Bar.