LARGE HOUSE BURNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1029, 21 July 1930, Page 10

LARGE HOUSE BURNED

Press Association CARTERTON, Today. A fire aR 2.30 a.m. on Sunday morning completely destroyed <1 10-roomed dwelling at Kokotau, owned and occupied by Mr. James Scott, a farmer. Mr. Scott was absent in Wellington at the time, and the occupants, Mr. J and INI. Scott, his two sons, Mr. and Mrs. MeNab and a child, had only time to grab their clothes and save themselves. . The insurance on the house was £1,200, and on the contents £540.

Frederick Cliapman. There were also present in-the body of court Sir Francis Bell, the Solicitor-General, Mr. A. Gray K.C., Mr. H. F. Johnston K.C., Chief Judge Jones (Native Land Court), and I stipendiary magistrates, Messrs E. Page, T. B. McNeil, W. H. Woodward, and a very large assembly of the Wellington Bar. “We are assembled here this morning to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of one who has for many years been a prominent figure in our public life,” said liis Honour Mr. Justice Reed. “Sir Robert Stout in his time held two of the highest offices open to a citizen of this Dominion, that of Prime Minister and Chief Justice. To his many activities in social and public life in New Zealand, the public Press has borne ample testimony, but fills large and representative meeting is today assembled more parI ticularly to murk its respect for Sir ! Robert in bis capacity as a lawyer and ! Chief Justice of New Zealand, j “I desire to pay a personal tribute i to his kindliness of heart and honesty i of purpose in all he did. Sir Robert’s ! outstanding characteristic was his j sense of duty, and nothing would turn ; him from the consequences and adverse criticism. Pie 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 and sound eommonsense characterised bis judgments. To us who were his close associates on the Bench, his kindiifiess and consideration made him a wellloved friend. “To the gentle lady', who for more than half a century has been his helpful companion, and who now lies on a sick bed. we extend our heartfelt. sympathy'.” concluded his Honour. Sir Francis Bell spoke of his 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 Chief Justice. He stressed these qualities which had made Sir Robert outstanding as a jurist, student, and statesman and beloved of all bis friends. Mr. Justice Reed fso read a letter from the Attorney-General. Sir Thomas Sidey, who regretted that owing to illness he was unable to attend, but desired to add his expression of sympathy to that of the other speakers. ; ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE Press Association WELLINGTON, Today, j The Attorney-General, Sir Thomas I Sidey, regretting that he was unable I personally to join In the tribute of the j Bench and Bar to the late Sir Robert i Stout, this morning wrote forwarding his tribute, in the course of which J he said: - “It has been said of England that the history of her great lawyers was in ino small degree the history of thfe nation. The same might be said with i some truth as regards New Zealand, | and to write 'fully the record of Sir 1 Robert Stout’s activities would bo to I recount the political, educational and : social life of this country extending j over many years. He was a great man intellectually and physically, and al- , though he attained such eminence in : the State he retained charm and simj plicity in all his private relations.” ; THE ARBITRATION COURT Sympathetic reference to the death of Sir Robert Stout, former Chief Jus- • tice, was made by the president of the j Arbitration Court before commencing ! the business this morning. His Honour | said that as all had attended the asj semblage that morning in the Supreme Court, he did not propose adding j anything to what had been said there. 1 As a mark of respect to the memory of Sir Robert Stout, the court adjourned j for half an hour.