DEATH OF SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON.
RECORD OF A USEFUL LIFE
The death occurred yesterday afternoon of Sir Charles J. .loiinston, Speaker o£ the Legislative Council. Sir Charles Johnston wns born in Wellington in 1815, the son of one of the earliest pioneer settlers in this young land, and he saw and took no small part in tlie growth nuil development of this place during the whole of an active life. His education was commenced in Wellington, and continued later at the Catholic College of St. Mary, Derbyshire. England, and at Kensington College. In the real 18G1 he returned Jo his native country, and joined the firm established, by" his father under the style of Johnston and Company, shipowners and merchants. Ho was a young man of ability and energy, ,and lie was soon able to take a considerable part in the direction of the growing business. Soon after his return to New Zealand he married Miss Alice Fcathcrston, daughter of the late Dr. Featherston, one of the leading public men of his time, the first Superintendent for W-ollington Province, and later first Agent-General for New Zealand.
Sir Charles Johnston first entered public life as member of the House of Representatives in 1882, being elected for tho long-since extinct seat of To Aro. lie was re-elected at the next election, but before the expiry of his second term he resigned ami took a trip to Unglaiid. That was in the year 1886, and on his return from abroad ho again associated, himself with public affairs in this city. In 1890 he succeeded the late Hon. John Duthie ns Mayor of Wellington. Wif, record as an administrator during his term, of office as Mayor is still spoken of in tho very warmest terms of praise by those who were close to him in control, of civic affairs. In 18'Jl he was appointed to the Legislative Council, being one of the Inst set of appointees to be made life" members. In 1915 lie was elected Speaker of tho Council, and while ln's health remained good he discharged the duties of that high office with honour to himself and to the Chamlwr over which he presided.
As a young man he was interested in Defence inauers kituiv, and very soon after his return from England, on tho completion of his education, lie joined the Wellington Navals. He rose through, the various commissioned' ranks until in due course he became captain. He retired from the corps with tbe rank 'of captain-commandant on the active service. He saw a little active service in one of the Native risings which were not unknown in the northern parts of Mew Zealand in the days of the pioneers. His interest in military matters wan inherited by his sons, who acknowledged at once the obligation resting on every man to bear his part in this great Rti'uggle. The family have suffered cruel losses in the war, Brigadior-Generai Earl Johnston was shot dead by a sniper on the West front last year. He was in the regular British Army, with, the rank of. major., but he happened to be in Now Zealand on furlough at the outbreak of war, and he left this country with tho New Zealand forces, holding rank «s a battalion commander. He served with distinction in the Gallipoli campaign, and was there given command of a brigade. The youngest aon of the family, Captain O. R. F. Johnston, was in England at the outbreak of war, and lie at once joined up with the British Army, taking a, commiesion in the Middlesex Regiment. He fought at Neuvo Cluvpelle, where he was wounded, was promoted captain in the field, and was kijled while leading his men at the Battle of the Somme. Other sons of the house are with the forces. For many years Sir Charles Johnston has been Consul for Belgium in Wellington. He was nftde a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, France, in 1900, and later was awarded the Belgian Legion of Honour and Declaration Civiquo. From the Queen of Holland he held two decorations. He was knighted by His Majesty the King on May 21 of this year, and in this matter a very singular honour was done him. In the ordinary course of cvont9 the- honour would have come out on the Birthday, but Mr. Johnston was known, to be very ill, and the King specially commanded that the announcement be made at an earlier date than would have been done in. the ordinary course. As a mark of respect for the memory of one so well known and so highly esteemed as a public man and as a private citizen, the flags of Government offices and mercantile houses were flown at halfmast yesterday afternoon. The funeral, which is to .take place on Saturday afternoon, will be private, for members of the family only. A special Requiem Maes will be held at the Basilica, Hill Street, on Monday at 9 a.m.
CITY COUNCIL'S TRIBUTE
A WORTHY CITIZEN.
References to the death of Sir Chailes Johnston wcro mado at the meeting ot the City Council last nipht. The Mayor (Mi , . J. P. Luke) said that it was his painful duty to speak a io\\r words about the death of a very old and esteemed eettlor of Wellington, bir Charles Johnston-a gentleman who had seen the growth of Wellington from tho very earliest day, and who hart beeu prominently associated with the city's development. Ho Mr. Luke) had watched thelato honourable eentlcmans career for many years, and had always admired the fairness with which Sir Charles Johnston had approached pubHe questions. About him .there was nothing mean or petty, and in him the city had lost one of the best crhssn it had evor had.. He was Mayor of.the city in the year 1890, and in that office he discharged hie duties with singular ability. Recently ho had been honoured bv Hβ Majesty the Klnff. and it was a matter for regret, that he had not lived longer to carry the honour so well deserved. He was suro councillors would unite with him in expressing condolences with Lady Johnston and the members of the family, and that, their remembered Sir Cliailes Johnston e term % ' The. city had lost a very worthy Ci ThTmotion 'was carried-by the councillors -upstanding.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 228, 14 June 1918, Page 6
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1,053DEATH OF SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON. Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 228, 14 June 1918, Page 6
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