OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1929, Page 12

OBITUARY

SIR JOHN FINDLAY, X.C,

FORMER ATTORNEY-GENERAL

News was received in Wellington this morning by cable from London of tho death there of Sir John Findlay, K.C.

Such news was not altogether unexpected, as the late Sir John had been in failing health for some months, but the end came somewhat suddenly yesterday after a relapse. It was towards the end of June last that the late Sir John Findlay left New Zealand for England. His health at that time was not good and his eyesight was also failing.

Tho new 3of his death has caused quito a shock to tho legal fraternity in the Dominion and to a large circle of friends. One long associated with him in practice remarked this morning that the late Sir John Findlay was probably one of the most amiable of men who ever wore silk. "He seemed incapable of bearing malice and never spoke an angry word. Ho had a very deep sense of his duty and never hesitated to take up an unpopular case if he considered that thereby he was furthering the cause of justice. His own interests always came second. Behind his somewhat polished manner lay a heart of gold and a capacity for making friends."

Sir John was a native of New Zealand, born, at Dunedin in ISG2. Educated at Scott's Academy, Hokitika, and at Otago University, he secured his LL.B. degree in 18SG, and rose to LL.D. in 1893. He was admitted to the Bar in 189-1, and entered into partnership with Mr. F. G. Dalziell, practising at Palmerston South. Early in his career. Dr. Findlay made a special study of political science, and for some, time he was lecturer on the subject at Otago University. Subsequently he moved to Wellington, entering into partnership with Sir Robert Stout. When Sir Kobert was appointed Chief Justice, Dr. Findlay and Mr. Dalzioll again beeamo partners, and remained so until' the latter went to England, after which Dr. Findlay was joined in partnership by Messrs. D. E. Hoggard and J. C. Morrison, la 1907 he was made a K.C.

For five years—from November, 1906, to November, 1911—Sir John Findlay held portfolios in the "Ward Ministry, and also the leadership of the Legislative Council, to which he had been called without previous experience of parliamentary life, except that which ho had gained by his "appearance as counsel before parliamentary committees. It is safe to say that those five ■years represented one of the most brilJiant periods of debating power in the. history of the Council: As a rule the Upper House of New Zealand confines its attention to tho measures sent up to it from the House of Representatives. In Sir John Findlay's time, I however, when legislative work was slack it became the custom to give notice of some declaratory motion of an academic character, which was debated for hours together, Sir John himself being one of the most eager of the contestants. It was in lOOtTthat lie was appointed to the Lgeislative. Council, sueaeeding the late Hon. Colonel Pitt as its leader, with the portfolios of Minister of Internal Affairs and Attor-ney-General, to which, on the retirement of the late Hon. James M'Gowan, ho added that of Justice. In March, 1911, Sir John, who had by tEis time received his title, accompanied Sir Joseph Ward, then Prime Minister, to ono of the Imperial Conferences. On. the eve of the General' Election of 1911 Sir John resigned his seat in the Council and his portfolios, in order I to become a candidate for the Parnell seat in tho House of Representatives, but was beaten by Mr. J. S. Dicksoa by 4264 votes to 3826. Sir John then retired from political life until 1917 when, on the death of Dr. M'Nab, he was returned on the by-election for Hawkes Bay, but at the next General Election he finally dropped out of Parliament and devoted himself for the remainder of his life to his profession. For some years Sir John was a member of the council of Victoria University College, Wellington. In tho Courts of New Zealand he has at various times appeared as counsel in important trials, and also before electoral tribunals in election petition cases. His versatility and quickness to seize an opening made him a formidable opponent in law courts.

The late- Sir John's great recreation was literature. As a young man he read for seventeen hours a day, and in later years devoted a largo proportion of his scanty leisure to the best works of the day. As a consequence he was very widely informed on a large number of subjects, and could speak with authority.

Sir John Findlay is survived by Lady Findlay aud two sons.