THE LATE SIR ROBERT STOUT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1930, Page 5

THE LATE SIR ROBERT STOUT

HIGH TRIBUTES. BY POLITICAL LEADERS. AN HISTORIC FIGURE. ,By Telegraph—Per Pres* Association.) WELLINGTON, July 19: ■ The following tribute to the late Sir Robert Stout was paid by the Prime Minister (Hon. Mr Forbes): —“The announcement of Sir Robert Stout’s death, although not altogether unexpected, will nevertheless be received with general regret by all sections of the community. Probably no man in New Zealand has ever' given so prolonged a career of service to the State. He first- entered the House of Representatives in 187ij, anti except for short intervals, served as a private member, .Minister of the Crown, and Premier till his retirement from actual political life in 1898. He was appointed Chief Justice in 1899, and for over 26 years devoted himself assiduously to the, duties of that high and responsible position. He was appointed a member of the legislative Council in 192-6, and retained his seat in this branch of the legislature until his death. For many years he was also Chancellor of the University of New Zealand. Throughout his long public career, the late Sir Robert Stout gave proof not only of outstanding capacity: for work, but also of very wide versatility of interests. A great deal of the history of New Zealand is asso-r dated with his life. During the whole period of his-office as Chief Justice be worthily upheld the best traditions and high reputation which the Supreme Court of this country has deservedly earned. In addition to his own legal equipment and attainments, his administration was marked by dignity, humanity and courtesy, and it is no exaggeration to say that he endeared himself both to members of the bar and to our citizens generally. His services in the cause of education will long be remembered. Indeed his life may be regarded as one of outstanding individual achievements, and his death at the ripe age of 86 years marks the passing of one of New Zealand’s great public men. who gave ungrudgingly his great ability to the advancement of the Dominion. His services were honoured by his King and his memory will long be revered by ottr country.” “In bis day and generation, Sir Robert Stout served his adopted country with unswering purpose, following principles he deemed right in the public weal,” said the Lender of the Opposition (Right Hon. J. G. Coates). “Running through his life there was '■a broad strain of humanity, his inclinations leaning always towards helping those unfortunately placed. One cannot but admire Ids electric and catholic tastes in the realms of thought and learning, and his keen industry and marked ability in applying what he so acquired. In the passing away of Sir Robert, a link has been severed with the earliest history of politics and pioneering in New Zealand.” “I personally, and the Labour Party as a whole, deeply regret the, death of -Sir Robert Stout,” said the Leader of the Labour Party f Mr H. E. Holland, “During his long and distinguished career, he was twice’ Prime Minister, Chief Justice for 26 years and Chancellor of the University, and this record is unique in the history of the Dominion. His work in connection with the founding of our educational system will lie a monument to his greatness.'’ 0, -y.; 0 To-day the Labour Party sent a message of sympathy to Lady Stout and family in their bereavement. VICE-REGAL EULOGY. . ' WELLINGTON, July 20. A Vice-Regal tribute to the memory of Sir Robert Stout was paid at the Orphans’ Club on Saturday night by Lord Bledisioe, who remarked that four notable figures in New Zealand political life had died since he had been in New Zealand,. Of these-rSlr Joseph Ward, Sir Thomas MacKenzie, Sir Robert Stout and Sir Maui Pomare—three had been Prime Ministers. “It is four montlis ago to-day that I arrived in your delightful country,” said the Governor-General, “and in that time no less than three or four of your distinguished public servants have passed to their rest. • Notable amongst them is the one who died in the early hours of liis morning, Sir Robert iStout. He served Ills’ country for an exceptionally long period. He was a man of profound knowledge, of peerless ideals, and of the )highest integrity.- He held for' 26 years the highest position-which a lawyer could occupy.”' Hi-s Excellency drew attention to the fact that Sir Robert Stout had ceased iis active political career three years before tbe late Sir Joseph Ward entered Parliament. INANGAHUA CONDOLENCES. MOTUEKA, July 19. Mr G. C. Black. Member'for Motueka, has forwarded the following telegram to Lady Stout:—“Please accept

the condolences of the Motueka, electorate on your sad loss. The-people ; otf Inaiigaliua do not forget, the- ser- > vices rendered them by their former, representative, your late illustrious husband, while all those interested educationally appreciate to the (full his works and his interest - even so contemporaneously set forth in his, introduction to the historic took, ‘Young New Zealand.’ ” AN APPRECIATION. WELLINGTON, July 21. The Attorney-General, Sir Thomas Sidey, regretting he was unable personally to join in .a . tribute of the Bench and Bar of the-late Sir Robert Stout tin's morning wrote, forwarding the tribute in the course of which ho said:—rlt has been said of England that the history of her great lawyers was in. no small degree the history of the Nation. The Isame might be said with some truth as regards New Zealand and to write fully a record of Sir Robert Stout’s activities would be to recount the political, tbe educational! and the social life of this country extending over many years. He was a great man intellectually and physically, and although he attained such eminence in ■the state, he retained a charm of simpicity in all 'his private relations. TRIBUTES AT COURT. ’ v, WELLINGTON,: July 21. Sympathetic references to the death of Sir Robert Stout were made " in •the Court of Appeal- this. morning, On the Bench were -Justices Reed, Adams, Blair, and Kennedy, and i with them Sir . Frederick Chapman. .There were also present in the body : of the Cotirt Sir /Franci* Bell, the ' Solicitor-General, A. Gray, K.O.f’H, F. Johnston, K Ci, Chief : Judge J ones, of. the -Native Land. Court, (Stipendiary . Magistrates Page, Neil, Woodward, ex-Magistrate Riddell and ’ a very large assembly of the .Wellington Bar. “We are assembled here this morning to pay tribute of respect to the memory of one who has for many -years been a prominent figure in Our public life,” said His Honour, Mr Justice' Reed. ! Robert' Stout in his time held-' two of . 'tlife highest offices open to a citizen of this; Do- ‘ minion,, that of Prime Minister I 'and Chief Justice. To his many activities in ; social and-public life in'New (Zealand, the public press has borne ample testimony,' .'but this large and representative' gathering is to-day assembled more particularly to mark its respect for Sir Robert in' his capacity as a lawyer and Chief Justibb of New Zealand. I well remember as a. boy, his prominence' at the Bar, and the vigorous contests between (him and the late Sir John Dennison in the-local; courts, but it is of his connection with the Bench as Chief Justice that my seven years experience of him as one of his puisnes, bast qualifies me to speak. The close association that feuch b position, enr tails enables me to form an accurate estimate of character, and I desire to pay a personal tribute to his kindliness of and honesty of purpose in all he did. Sir Robert's outstanding characteristic was Ws sense of duty and nothing would turn him from the (consequences and adverse criticism. He was mentally in every sense a strong man. He was without a particle of side or pretentiousness. Display was abhorrent to him. Kindliness of heart;'- and sympathy with the poor and distressed were predominant moving forces. In his administration of justice, sound oommonseuse characterised his judgement. To us who were his close associates on the Bench, his kindliness and consideration made him a well loved friend, and when he retired we long missed his cheery and very friendly presence.. We mourn his loses.” 'To the gentle lady who for more than half-,. a century has been his helpful companion, and whd now libs upon a sick bed, we extend our heartfelt sympathy. May the many proofs she wiil receive of the universal respect in which her lamented ,husband was held, and Dominionwide sympathy that will be extended to her-and her children in her bereavement, afford some solace to her and to them in tlieir great sorrow. Sir Francis Bell spoke of long association with the late Sir Robert, both at- the Bar, in Parliament, and in business, and related outstanding events of the life of the- late Chief Justice. He stressed those qualities which had made Sir Robert outstanding as a jurist, student, and statesman, and beloved of all his friends. ■ Justice Reed also read a letter from the Attorney-General, Sir Thos. Sidey, who regretted that owing to illness he was unable to attend and add his expression of sympathy to those of the other speakers. HAMILTON, July 21. A tribute was paid to the late Sir Robert. Stout at the Hamilton Supreme Court this morning by a large gathering of members of the Bar. The Court adjourned for half an ■hour. - -K- ;-y ■■•- -' • C"' ' His Honour, Justice Herdman, said another link which binds the early interesting days of New Zealand history with the present, had been broken. In the death of Sir Robert Stout had disappeared from the stage - one who was a masterful, and striking figure, one who combined ./ indomitable courage with great kindness of heart, one who loved the country in which he had elected to ; make his name, with reverend , affection. ' r