The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1903. THE NEW JUDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 203, 12 September 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1903. THE NEW JUDGE.

On Thursday the Premier announoed that Mr Justice Oonolly nad resigned his appointment as Judge cf the Supreme Court, and that Mr Chapman, of Dunedin, would be appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr Justice Oonolly was appointed Judge in 1889, on the death of Mr Justice Gillies, and has been an industrious and painstaking Judge. His successor, Mr Fredrick Revans Chapman, is a lawyer of considerable ability, whose appointment, we learn from Mr Samuel, will give great satisfaction to the profession. He has had a wide fxperience, and was in New Plymouth in connection with an important case, in whish Mr Samuel appeared against him. The Z.N, Times says: —" The newly-appointed Judge is a son of the late Judge Chapman, and was born in Wellington in 1849. Mr Chapman was calkd to the English bar in 1871. Hs began the practice of his profesiion os partner of the lite Mr McCaesey, cf Dunedin, in 1872. On that firm becoming dissolved, he practiced on his own account for a year or two, and then joined the firm of Smith and White. On tho dissolution of that firm, it became known as Chapman atd Sinclair. Mr Chapman is a mau of very impartial mind, with high legal training, and is recognised as one of the foremost barristers in the colony. He possesses considerable literary and scientific attainments, and has bsen chairman of the Otago Phi'o3ophic;,l Institute. He followed journalistic pursui'B '.n hia early days, and started the "Passing Notes" column in the Otago Witness, which he made very popular and attractive wiih his able peD. Mr Chapman was for a short time chairman of the Otago and Southland Conciliation Board, and he carried out his du ies with such tact and ability that general regret was expressed when he retired from that position. He has never taken any part in politics. His appointment to a Judgeship is the only instance in this colony in which the son of a Judge his followed in the footsteps of his father, and as he has the reputation of being a man of independent character, of wide reading, and firmness of decision, he comes to his new position well equipped in every respect. Mr Chapman was one of the Commissioners rhiring the visit of the Duke of York to this colony. He married a daughter of the lata Mr George Oook, barrister, of Dunedin, The new Judgo is a brother of Mr M. Chapman, of Wellington."