SIR CHARLES SKERRETT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1929, Page 5

SIR CHARLES SKERRETT

THE PRIME MINISTER’S TRIBUTE,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, February 19,

The Prime (Sir Joseph Ward) has issued the following tribute to the late Sir Charles Skerrett to-da.v:—

“ It is with very deep regret that I have to announce I have received this morning a cablegram from the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London advising that following cerebral haemorrage on me previous day, Sir Charles Skerrett, K.C.M.G., K.C., Chief Justice, died at sea on the 13th inst. 1 received a telegram yesterday from the High Commissioner expressing sincere sympathy in the death of Sir Charles and as this was the first intimation which came to hand of the sad news which I was unable to confirm by enquiries of the late Chief Justice’s friends in the city, 1 despatched an urgent message to Sir James Parr, asking him for the source of his information.”

The reply received-this morning stated he had received a wireless messnge via Los Angeles from the captain of the steamer “ Port Denison ” to the above-mentioned effect, and also intimating that the relatives have arranged for the body to be taken to London.

“ The news of Sir Charles Skerrett's death,” said the Prime Minister, “has come as a great shock to me, as it will to- all citizens of the Dominion. When illness overtook him last year and two serious operations became necessary he faced the ordeal with unflinching courage and bore his suffering with fortitude. He made a wonderful recovery and was looking forward with keen pleasure to resuming his official duties on his return from his visit, to England. Now he has passed to his long rest and our sympathy goes out in' full measure to the bereaved members of his family.” “ The late Sir Charles Skerrett,” said Sir Joseph, “ was a striking example of a New Zealander, born and bred, beginning, one might say, at the lowest rung of the ladder, and reaching one of the highest positions in the land. After leaving school, he early qualified as a barrister and solicitor and quickly rose to a foremost position in his profession. As a pleader at the Bar he had few equals. He possessed an intellect peculiarly -fitted tfoi* legal work, and he soon became one of the acknowledged leaders of the legal profession in the Dominion. Indeed, his reputation was not confined to New Zealand, but extended to Great Britain and other countries.

“When the position of Chief .Justice became vacant, through the retirement of the Rt. Hon.' Sir Rebel t Stout, Sir Charles Skerrett’s appointment to this high and responsible position was universally acclaimed throughout the Dominion. Early in his Chief Justiceship he was called upon to act as Deputy-Covernor-Gen-eral during His Excellency’s- absence from New Zealand and in this capacity lie also discharged the duties of the office with befitting dignity and characteristic ability. I am voicing the feelings of my fellow citizens when I say his place will be hard to fill. “It will be within the memory of all of us how well he carried out the task allotted to him last year in acting as Chairman of the Royal Commission to enquire into matters affecting the mandated territory of Western Samoa. The report of that Commission will stand as a monument to hia thoroughness and sagacity.” “Leaving the official side,” said Sir Joseph, “I should like to say that the late Sir Charles Skerrett possessed a very lovable personality. He was an essentially human man, largehearted, generous-gifted with a fund of humour and was an excellent after dinner speaker. He was a lover of sport and in his younger days was himself a keen participant. Throughout his busy life he found time to identify himself actively with many social organisations, in which he held prominent positions. “It was the nature of the man that, ' notwithstanding success which came to him in life, he remained unspoilt by, honours and adulation.

“I feel,” concluded Sir Joseph, “I have lost a valued and intimate friend, and his death has removed from our midst one of the Dominions most distinguished sons. I have sent a cablegram to his sister on the ‘Pt. Denison,’ conveying on behalf of Government and the people of New Zealand, their deepest sympathy with her and her relatives in the great loss they have sustained by the death of one who was recognised throughout the country as a man of the highest intellectual standing, and of whom it could be truly) said, he had no enemy.”