LATE SIR JOHN DENNISTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17691, 31 July 1919, Page 3

LATE SIR JOHN DENNISTON

OTAGO'S TRTBDTK EOLOCFY OF BENCH AND BAR. There was a. large attendance of the tegal profession at the Supremo Court yesterday morning before his Honor Mr Justice Sun to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of Sir John Denniston, who <hed recently in Christchurch. Among those present were Mr G. L. Donniston (brother of the deceased judgo), Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, J. R. Bartholomew, and E. D. Mosley, S.M.'s, Sub-inspector Mathieson (representing the Police Department), and Mr F. Q. dimming (probation officer). Mr J. A. Cook (president of the Otago liaw Sooiety), addressing his Honor, said: The members of the legal profession practising in Otago desire to take this the earliest opportunity of adding their tributo of respect and regret to the tributes which havo flowed in from all quarters on the untimely death of the late Sir John Donniston. The profession, tho press, and the pubho with one accord joined only a few m&nths ago in expressing their appreciation of his long and faithful services to his country in ono of the highest offices of the State and of the ability and strict impartiality with which ho discharged the duties of his office over a period of 29 years. We had all hoped that after such a period of public service he would havo been spared to enjoy some years of leisure in his well-earned retirement. Unfortunately, however, that was not to be, and wo have now to mourn his early removal from amongst us. The older members of the profession in Dunedin will feel Sir John's loss particularly keenly, as he was something more than a judgo to ; thorn. Hβ began hi 3 career as a lawyer m Dunedin, and acquired hia legal experience almost entirely in Dunedin, where he necessarily made, many closo friendships; and the fact that he was always anxious to run down for a few days to Dunedm to meet his old associates seemed to indicate that these old associations were a pleasure to him up to the last. Sir John will always bo held in affectionate remembrance by the members of the profession who had the privilege of association with him for his good-fellowship and other sterling social qualities. The members aU desire to offer their sincere sympathy to. Lady Denniston and her family m their sad bereavement. Mr W, a MacGregor. K.C., said he was very pleased to say a Jew words in additjoll to what had fallen from Mr Cook. As an old pupil of Sir John Denniston, he had more than the ordinary opportunities of becoming acquainted with his professional hfe and work and with his industry and .his devotion in the interests pf his client* He thought hia Hfe should be an example to all of them, and more particularly to the younger members • of the bar, to identify themselve with their clients, and not hesitate to sacrifice themselves m then- interests. The late Judge was intimately known to most of them, and they regretted his death exceedingly. His Honor said it was highly proper that the ■ legal profession in Dunedin should take this tho first opportunity of paying a tribute of respect to the memorybf the ate fair John Denniston. As Mr Cook had said, the late Judge's career began in punedin. He practised his profession here for something less than 15 years, so that ins career as an advocate was not a lone one; but he made his mark early, and he soon became one of the leaders of a very strong Bar. It was now within 30 years sin,ce ho was translated to the Bench, but there were many yet who would remember fair John as an advocate. As Mr MaoGregor had 'said, he identified himself very completely with his clients, and endeavoured strenuously to advaico their case in all honourable ways, and when he was raised to tne Bench he carried the same strenuous spirit into the discharge of his judicial work His great purpose was to do justice to all who came before him and he discharged the duties of his high otlice with strict impartiality and ability As Mr Cook had also mentioned, it was to be regretted very much that he was not allowed longer to enjoy his leisure '"I am . afraid," added his Honor, "the work which ho had on the Influenza Commission helped to hasten his end, so that it may be said he was a martyr to duty." This might help to soften.the feelings of Lady Denniston and her daughter in their sad Joss, and- all they could do was to express ftlieir sympathy with them in that loss. The Court then adjourned.