OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR GEORGE MONDY. Tho death of Mr Gourde Mondy, which occurod rather suddenly this morning, thougli ho had boon ill lor somo time, was received with surprise and regret in the city. The late Mr Mondy. who was a partner in the legal linn of Messrs Mondy, Stephens, Monro, and Stephens, was a well-known figure in the city, and, though he did not take part in any public activities, he was very highly respected as a citizen. Throughout the dominion he was known as a sound lawyer, actuated by the highest principles of conduct in his profession. By tho members of the profession itself Mr Mondy was held in tho highest regard and esteem, He was remarkable for the affection which he created in his clients, this being strikingly evidenced during his illness.

Tho laic Mr Mondy was horn m Melbourne in 1857, and came to Now Zealand when ho was very young. Ho was educated at tho “old stone school,” Union street, under Sir Robert Stout, later attended tho Otago High School, and then went to Otago University. Tn 1874 ho was articled to Messrs Seivwright and Stout, was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in July, 1879, and subsequently became a partner in the firm. The late Mr Justice Sim entered tho office ns a clerk, and, when Mr Seivwright retired, ho became a partner with Messrs Mondy and Stout. The next development was the establishment of a branch of the office in Wellington, with Sir John Findlay as a partner. The firm subsequently' dissolved, Sir Robert Stout retiring from the Dunedin business, and Messrs Mondy and Sim from the Wellington business. Mr I. C. Stephens joined tho firm in 1900, and subsequently Mr Sim, later Sir William Sim, became a judge of the Supremo Court. Later still Mr J. C. Monro and Mr A. C. Stephens were admitted into tho partnership, which of recent years has carried on tmsimfs as Messrs' Mondy, Stephens, Monro, and Stephens, The loss of Mr Mondy is felt very keenly by his old partner, Mr J. C. Stephens, ivho saw him on Monday night, and to whom the sudden death was totally unexpected. Sir George Fenwick visited the deceased only last night, and expected him to return to his business shortly. Personally, the late Mr Mondy was a most unobtrusive man. Ho was a precise and courteous gentleman, ono in whom his fellows would readily confide. At a meeting of tho executive of tho Dunedin Chamber of Commerce today a motion of regret and condolence with the relatives of Mr Mondy was passed, members standing in silence as a mark of respect.

CAPTAIN GEORGE THOMSON. Up and down the barboursidc dags drooped at hall-mast to-day as a mark of respect for Captain George Thomson, whose death took place early this morning at Ids residence at Port Chalmers. Six years ago he retired from the position of harbourmaster for the Otago Harbour Board. During the past twelve months he has suffered a great deal from licart and chest trouble, but ho was always cheerful, always pleased to see old friends, although there were nights when, rest being impossible, he walked the floor for hours at a time, in order to obtain respite from sleepdispelling pain. But, sailor-liko, he never complained, and only those most closely associated with him knew of the ordeal of the closing months of a long, active lifetime. Seventy-five years ago, on the 2nd inst., Captain Thomson was born at Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the first sailor of the family, but he heard the call of the sea very distinctly, and at fourteen years of age he commenced his seafaring career on sailing ships out of Leith, the port of Edinburgh. Following the impulse of seafaring ho gradually extended the scope of bis activities until ho sailed in the great white wingers competing for prestige in reducing the passage time to and from Australia. Qualifying in seamanship and navigation he had charge of a starboard watch in the “ roaring ’forties,” before he decided to stay with relatives in Melbourne. Turning again to the sea, he joined the early intercolonial steamers, and was chief officer of the Wakatipu when he married Miss E. J. Watson, daughter of the late Captain J. Watson, of Port Chalmers. Afterwards he joined the service of the Otago Harbour Board as tugraaster, rising to the position of chief pilot under the late Captain M'Allum, and on the latter’s retire* ment was appointed harbourmaster. Visiting shipmasters had groat faith in Captain Thomson, and ho firmly established the prestige of Otago Harbour as a popular port of call for oversea vessels. His death will be much regretted. On retiring six years ago from active service he made a holiday trip to the Old Country, visiting his relatives and his older brother, whoso death took place last year._ The latter was city engineer and architect fertile Corporation of Dundee. His younger brother is still in business in Dundee. Captain Thomson is survived by Mrs Thomson, three sons, turn daughters and twelve grandchildren. The oldest son, John Thomson, is a marine architect in Wellington, William Thomson is second engineer of dredge 222, and James Thomson is in business at Port Chalmers. The daughters arc Mrs N. M, Clark and Mrs C. E. Goodyear.