OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1916, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR. A. E. T. DEVORE. (New Zealand Herald). An old and highly-esteemed citizen of Auckland, Mr. A. E. T. Devore, senior partner in the legal firm of Messrs Dcvere, Martin and Prendergast, died at his residence at St. Stephen's Avenue. Parneil, on Friday, at the age of 72 years. Mr. Devore had been ailing for some time, but he had been absent from his office for only about ten days.

Mr. Bevore, who was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1543. emigrated to Melbourne as a lad of 1(1 in 1559, and there commenced the study of the law. In 1562 he came to New Zealand, and, being seized with t„he gold fever, he worked on one of the Otago goldfields. He afterwards returned to the law in Dunediu, where he remained till ISOG, when he went to Hokitika. He subsequently came to Auckland, and in IS7I he was admitted to practice. Shortly afterwards he entered into partnership with Mr. J. B. Russell, under the style of Russell and Devore. This partnership continued for 11 years. In ISS3 Mr. Devore entered into partnership with 'Mr. Theo. (now Mr. Justice) Cooper, under the name of Devore and Cooper. This partnership was continued until 1901. when Mr. , Cooper was appointed to the Supreme Court Bench. 'The present name of the firm is Devore, Martin and Prendergast.

11l ISB2. when the boundaries of Auckland City were enlarged by the inclusion of Ponsonby. Mr. Devore first entered public life in Auckland by becoming a representative of the Ponsonby ward on the City Council, be being returned at. the bead of the p«ll. He remained a councillor until ISSO, when he was elected Mayor of Auckland with.out opposition. He was elected Mayor unopposed on the two succeeding occasions, thus occupying the office, from 1886 to 1889. During his term of office the finances of the city were placed on an improved footing. The Auckland Public Library, one of the city"s most valuable institutions, was opened by Mr. Devore in his capacity as Mayor, and during his term of office the Art Gallery was opened by the then Governor, Sir William Jervois. For several years Mr. Devore was president of the Auckland Society of Arts. For a long time he was a member of the Auckland Harbor Board, and for several years chairman of the Ponsonby School Committee. Ho was also a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank. He always evinced a keen interest in the welfare of the city and in social affairs. He was a patron of many outdoor amusements, and for over '2."> years was president of the Auckland Paigby I'liion. He was a very keen volunteer in his early days and was an excellent rifle shot. Mr. Devore leaves n widow and six children. The names of the members of the family are: Mrs. A. C. H. Collins and Mrs. R. George, of New Plymouth. Miss rf. Devore, Miss B. Devore, Miss I. , Devore and Mr. George Devore. Another daughter, Mrs. Mantou, died in Wellington several years ago.