The Dominion FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1918. SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 228, 14 June 1918, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1918. SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON

It is with deep regreb that we have to announce this morning the death of Sir Charles Johnston, Speaker of the Legislative Council, after a protracted and painful illness. During his long and active career Sir Charles Johnston rendered distinguished service in the development and progress of this country, service conspicuously enhanced by the high ideals of personal honour, business integrity, and political disinterestedness which inspired and directed his mind on public and private questions. 'Unusu : ally keen and capable in handling men .and affairs, a safe financier, he brought to tho service of his oldtime constituency of To Arq as its representative in Parliament, to the city as Mayor, and to the country in general as a member at different periods of both Houses of the Legislature, a business acumen, a soundness of judgment, and high l ' principle which, rendered inconspicuously, without ostentation, nevertheless left a permanent mark on the public records of the city and the State. The late Sir Charles Johnston was by nature reserved, and shunned publicity, yet the quiet dignity and charm of manner which graced his personality made him very popular and highly esteemed amongst those with whom he came in contact. He was an admirable representative of a typo which is fast disappearing under the. pleasure of a bustling age—a steadying and sagacious influence the true value of which, too often, is only realised when it is gone—and his Joss to the community is therefore the greater to be deplored. Tho Johnston family has generously sacrifice! its manhood for the Empire in the present war, and general sympathy will bo extended to it in this latest bereavement, the passing of its distinguished head.