OBITUARY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 45, 16 October 1912, Page 5

OBITUARY.

THOMAS SHAILER WESTON

We much regret to have to record che death of Mr Thomas Shailer Wes Don. well-known and most highly esceemod throughout New Zealand, who passed away at his residence, Nevi Plymouth, last evening. The late M» Weston, who was in his seventy-sixth year, was born in London in 1836, and in 1850 came to New Zealand with his parents—Mr and Mrs John James Weston —who were amongst the pio niHirs of this province. In 1861, the Ute Mr T. S. Weston, who had adopteJ tiie lav\' as his profession, was called to the bar, and for two years practised at New Plymouth, afterwards removing to Invercargill, where he gained much honour and was chosen to represent Southland at the inaugura tion of the Exhibition at Duncdin in 180-!. ,In the same year, Mr Weston wont to Auckland, in which city he practised until 1873. Ho took considerable interest in public affairs in tiie Aor th, and won high respect as a member of the Bar in that city. Id 18/4, Mr Weston 'was appointed a Dis crict Judge, and until 1880 served his country in this capacity, when he retired from the Bench under the retrenchment polity of the then Government. Mr Weston shortly afterwards resumed the practice of law at Christchurch, where he founded the legal firm of T. S. Weston and Son, which is sLill carried on by his son, MiGeorge T. Weston. It will also be remembered by some at least that tiie late'Mr Weston was for a time a member of the, House of Representatives, and in June, 1881, was returned,at a bye-election to represent tboGiey elec- , U>ra&e, and at the general 'election in tiia same year to represent Inaiganiia. He resigned in November, 1883, and wag appointed; a Representation Com'njissioueit, w*hlcl) Cjfhco ho relinquished in I'JIJ. He was a member and t'wlca chairman., iof thoj Nx>rth f Canterbury Education Board,', and from 1894 to 1902 was a J "governor 'of Canterbury College, being chairman at the time of his retirement. From 1881 to 1886 he was law examiner for the whole State. In 1875 he was appointed with Mr Richmond Beetham, R.M., to the West Coast Reserves Commission, and ho was also a mbmber of the Education Commission of 1902 and the commission on staffing and salaries of primary schools. He was a man of marked ability and keen insight, and of most restless energy. While in Canterbury M r Weston took very keen interest in educational matters,., and ' for l-iirony l years did splendid work" as Chairman of the Canterbury Education Board and on the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. .'Those who then name in contact with him will long remember his fine imperialistic spirit and the addresses he delivered at' many North Canterbury School centres at the ceremony of' unfurling the flag. While in Canterbury, the late Mr Weston■ was deservedly honoured in many ways. He was at one time President of the Canterbury District Law Society, a similar honour being conferred on him by the New Plymonth Society in 19il, ho having removed to that town in 1902. In January 1909, he was appointed Crown Solicitor for the Taranaki Judicial District, which position he held at the time of his death. The late Mr Weston married Miss Hill, a daughter of Mr Henry Hill, of Auckland, in 1867, and was predeceased by the lady in 1908. Pie had been in indifferent health for some time past, but continued to take tie closest interest in j tbo business of his firm, and a couple of weeks ago was at work in his office. Per about ten days Mr Weston Avas confined to his room, and, as feared, he did not again rally, the end coming as above stated, last night. Four sons service—Mr T. S. Weston (Messrs Izard and Weston', barristers and solicitors, Wellington); Mr G. T. Weston ! (Messrs T. S. Weston and Son, bar- | risters and solicitors, Christchurch); I Mr Walter C. Weston. Manager of | the "Taranaki Herald." New Plymouth j and Mr Claude H. Weston | (Messrs Weston and Weston, barristj ers and solicitors, New Plymouth). I Mr Henry Weston, proprietor of the | "Taranaki Herald," is also a brother of the late Mr T. S. Weston.