MONTHLY SUMMARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 308, 30 December 1891, Page 10

MONTHLY SUMMARY.

THE LATE SIR FREDERICK WHITAKER.

A DISTINGUISHED STATESMAN.

The announcement made on December 4 of tha death of Sir Frederick Whitaker, Attorney-General in the Atkinson Administration, and one of New Zealand's oldesb statesmen, was received fchroughoub Auck. land with feelings of profound regret. Ife was known for some time previously thab Sir Frederick was in a delicate state of health, in consequence of paralytic attacks, bub being a man of indomitable perseverance he attended to his business affairs, in connection with the firm of Whitaker, Russell, and Buddie., solicitors of this city, and actually diod in harness. Sir Frederick was, however, unable to abtend *•■*> i;i3 Parliamentary duties during the iasb session of Parliament, and even when he occupied the office of AttorneyGeneral in the Atkinson Administration rumours were repeatedly circulated of his intention to resign on account of failing health. When questioned on the subject, Sir Frederick invariably denied the truth of the reports, and continued to occupy his accustomed place in the Legislative Council until hia party went out of power at the last general election. Hβ then practically retired from active political life.. Prior to the first session of the present Parliament Sir Frederick had a severe . stroke of paralysis, which partly affected his speech, and he has been since that time under the care of Dr. Hahie3. At times he was compelled to remain at home, and of late he experienced very poor health, bub he continued to attend ofrico business whenever sufficiently strong bo geb to town. On fche afternoon of December 4, Mr Buddie and Mr Mason had occasion to go to Sir Frederick's room about) 3 o'clock, when they found him sitting in Ju3 chair unconscious. Dr. Haines was called in, and ordered the 'patient's immediate removal to his homo, and he was taken there in a cab, a telephone message was sent to Lake Takapuna summoning hia daughters (Mrs Minnebfc and Miss Whitaker). They responded with all haste, but arrived too lato to see their father ' alive. The son?, Mr Harry Whitaker, Mr Herbert Whitaker, and Mr B. Whitaker, and one daughter, Mrs Baker, are all absent from the colony. A REMARKABLE MAN. An interesting sketch of Sir Frederick is to be found in "New Zealand Statesmen," by Gisborne, and probably no one could bettor deal with the subject than the author, who had an intimate acquaintance with the deceased for many years of his political career. Mr Giaborne says :— " Sir Frederick Whitaker was probably the most remarkable public man in New Zealand, not because he was most in the foreground, bub rather because in the background he exercised great influence on the political affairs of the colony. He has been the rudder more than fche figurehead of the State vessel. For forty years, from the time when ho was a nominee member of the Legislative Council during the Administration of Governor Fitzroy, to the date of hie retirement from tha Premierehip in 1883, he had been an appreciable factor in the history of New Zealand. Ho had often held office, colonial and provincial, but waa never prominent in the popular sense, even when ho was Premier, bhough in reality always a power in office and out of office, both before the throne and behind t.'ie throne. He wa3 a member of the legal profession, which in New Zealand combines the functions of barrister and solicibor, and he has, ironi the earliest days of the settlement of Auckland, ably and successfully practised in that profession. His ability bo devote much time to politics was owing to his enormous capacity for intellectual work. Although nob a man of high culture, nor a genius, he possessed a rare combination of compensating qualities. He was shrewd, cautious, far-sighted, persuasive, patient, watchful, persevering, and most industrious. He was nob an eloquenb or moving speaker, and his persuasiveness was feib more at interviews than in public debate. Few lawyers make effective speeches on the platform, or in popular branches of the Legislature. The reason is, I think, because they speak too much in the forensic style of addressing juries; and fchab style widely differs trom those which the masses and their representatives respectively appreciate. Sir Fredk. Whitaker "was seldom effective in addressing a multitude, or the House of Representatives, of which he was occasionally a member. He succeeded better in the Legislative Council, where debate more resembles mild conversation in a quiet room. Hia chief faulb in speaking was _ the reiteration of the same idea in different words, a practice which he probably learnt ab the bar. He could be clear and forcible, when he chose to be so, and, when he bad a bad casa, few could surpass him in mystification and in. the arbs of saying nothing in many words. In his ofHcialcorreapondence he was rather verbose and inelegant. He excelled in drafting Bills ; all the clauses were admirably arranged, and their language simple, comprehensive, and precise. He had good adiDuiistratiue knowledge, bub showed it more in advice than in actual administration. The singular characteristic of Sir Frederick Whitaker throughout his lonepublic career in Now Zealand v/as thab he has always done more a3 an adviser of others than as a performer in his own person. Ho has been a man of many counsels. He has made elaborate plots, bub generally some one elso has been the chief actor in them. As Primo Minister he comparatively failed ,- and the same may be said of "him as the Superintendent of the province of Auckland, although while he was only an ordinary Minister, or only Provincial Solicitor, or even in Opposition, he was influential and effective. 1 can only attribute this curious fact to the qualiby of secre+ivenese, which he possessed in no ordinary degree. A person may bo a capital stage manager, but yec be unable to take the principal part. Sir Frederick Wbitaker could work well nnseen, but he had no taste for public performance, lie eat in seclnaion, and invisibly weavedthe warp ami woof for public use. This leading feature in his character was much to be regretted." , , Sir Frederick Whitaker was the descendant of an old Oxfordshire family, bis father , a magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenanb ot the county. Sir Frederick had a good legal education, and was adopted to practice j the English .courts iQ 1839. He cmi crated to Australia m IS4O, ana SmoS immediately afterwards came on to New Zealand, becoming one of the earliest settler. .» *»°*s£ In 1842 he was appointed counby ]udge ttoublf he served in the New Zealand Stia, holding a major's and about this time he entered into partnership with Captain Hestie,.the iirm being chiefly interested in menfa of the mineral resources of th a province.. Sir Frederick P»«* to England between 1846 and 1848, and. in 1351 ho was elected one of, the Auckland city representatives in tne ITovuuaaj Council. During the euperinfcen'iency Of

General Wynyard bhe deceased acted as provincial adviser, and was also a member of the Provincial Legislative"Couhcii;~Tn 1803 he was called to the Legislative Council,, and two years labor succeeded the Hon. ; W. , Swansqn ac Attorney general in tho Lieutenant-Governorship of General Wynyard, In 1855 he was appomted Speaker of the Legislative Council, and in the following year he accepted the portfolio of Attorney - General in the tfell-Sewall Ministry, which, however held office for only a fortnight. lot* offic3 from time t0 fcime until 1863, when he became Premier and Attor-ney-General, and held possession of the Government Benches for nearly two years. The year 1865 saw him elected Superintendent of Auckland, unopposed, and in 1866 he appeared in Parliament as leader of the Auckland party. From 1867 to 1876 he retirod from political life, bub in bhe latter year-was elected member for Waikabo and became Attorney-General in the Atkinson Administration, holding that office off and on with the changing fortunes of that party, unbil the rosignabicn of bhe Atkinson Ministry in December, 1890. Sir Frederick Whitaker was a prominent Freemason, and was connected witti numerous local companies and industries. He was born in 1812, and was consequently in his eighbiebh year ab the bime of his death. IMPOSING FUNERAL CORTEGE. The funeral took place on the afternoon of December 6, and was of a most imposing character. The Provincial Grand Lodge, Scotch Consbibubion, of which bhe deceased \va3 Provincial Grand Master, meb ab the Freemasons' Hall, Princes-street, ab 2.15 p.m., and was opened by Bro. W. McCullongh, D.P.G.M. After a briof service read by bhe Chaplain the order of procedure was arranged as follows:—Bro. Edert>r, actino , P.G.Tyler; Bro. J. F, Lepine, P.gT Bible Bearer ; Bro. the Kov. W. Caldor, P.G. ( Chaplain ; Bro. Thos. Cantley, G. Sec. (in. bhe unavoidable absence of Bro. Thos. Slater) with roll; Bro. J. R. Hendry, P.G. Marshal ;■ Bros. R. Farrell, Wm. Caron, the Rev. J. Hill, A. G. Baddiley, A. Brodio, and W. H. Skeeb, Pall-bearers; Bro. F. Rundle, P.G. Swordbearer ; Bro. Wm. Anderson, P.G.b.M. ; Bro. W. McCullough, P.G. Master Depube ; Bro. J. Cleal and Bro. A. Campbell, P.G. Stewards; Bro. J. P. Bennett, P.G.I.G. The formed at the residence of the [deceased, Symonds-streeb, bhe Masonic brethren in advance, the Grand Lodge officers surrounding bhe hearse. 'The mourning carriages were occupied by Mr Alfred Whitaker, son of the deceased, Masters Fred and , Walter Minnebt, and Master Fred Whifcakor (grandchildren), and in adtlibion there were over sixty vehicles containing representatives of the various insbibutions and friends of the deceased. Amongst those present were the Hons. P. Dignun, W. Swanson, and Dr. Pollen ; Messrs T. Thompson J. Palmer, W. 1\ Buckland, and J. M. Shorn, M.H.K's ; MrE. Hesketh (Vice-president), and members of tho Law Society; Messrs C. E. Button, C. F. Buddie, and A. Hanna, members of the tirm of Whitaker, Russell, and Buddie (Mr Thomas Buddie being unavoidably absenb); His Worship bhe Mayor (Mr J. H. Upbon), Mr W. Crovvbher (Mayor-elect) and a large number of City Councillors; ProfesFors Pond and Thomas, representing the Universiby Council, of which the deceased was a member: Mr Justice Conolly, Mr H. C. Brewer (Registrar) and Mr G. W. Basley (Deputy Regiebrar), representing the Supreme Court; Messrs K. Udy and V. E. Rice, Chairman and Secrebary of the Board of Education ; Messrs W. P. Moat and A. F. Etheridge, representing the Crown Land Board ; Mr J. D. Connolly (American Consul), Sir William Fox, Mr Reader Wood. Sir Frederick Whitaker was Chancellor of the diocese and a member of the Standing Commission of bhe General Synod. Bishop Cowie was unavoidably absent, but wa3 represented by Archdeacon Dudley. Dr. Purchas, one ol Sir Frederick's oldesb friends, was also present. A very large number of other prominent citizens were present in their private capacity. The cortege proceeded from the residonce of the deceased through Alten Road and Parnell via St. Stephen's Avenue to Sb. Stephen's Cemetery. Ab the entrance to bhe cemetery the procession waa met by Sir George Grey, Dr. J. L. Campbell, and other residents of the vicinity, and Sir George Grey and Mr J. Diiworth fell in with the procession immediately behind the chief mourners. At the entrance to tho cemetery the Masonic brethren opened out righb and left, forming an avenue to the Mortuary Chapel, to which the coffin was borne. The opening ,sentences of the Church of England burial service v/ere here said by the Rev. C. M. Nelson. Before pronouncing bhe blessing ab tho grave, the Rev. Mr Nelson said : "And bo we lay to rest the mortal remains of Sir Fredorick Whitaker—one of our foremost citizen?. Iα view of the Masonic service to follow, I will nob detain you except bo say Sir Frederick was a loving husband, a fond fabher, a righteous statesman, an upright and honourable man. May ha resb in peace, and may God grant us all to meet him in a better place in the great hereaftor." The 90th psalm in the burial service v/as mo3t impressively read by bhe Rev. Dr. Purchas, and the lesson from lsb Corinthians 15bh chapter waa read by Arch-deacc-n Dudley, after which the coffin was borne bo the grave. The service there was ! concluded by the Rev. 0". M. Nelson. The Roy. W.'Calder and P. G. Chapman also read theMasonicservice, and the Rev. James Hill, P.G.D.M., of Devonporb, delivered an appropriate Masonic oration. -The body When it became known that Sir Frederick of bhe deceased having been interred alongside the remains of his wife, the Masonic ' brebhren passed round tho: grave, and bhe ceremony, which was a roost impressive one, concluded. The musical service was conducted by Bro. Major Pirie. Numerous very beautiful wreaths were senb by personal friends, and on behalf of repre3enbabiva instibutions, including bhe following:—Mr and. Mrs Firth, Sir John Hall ; Ara Lodge, N.Z.C. ; St. Andrew's Lodge, N.Z.C. ; Grand Lodge of New Zealand 0 ; Mr and Mrs G. S. Graham, Colonel Burton, Misses Buddie ; Provincial Grand Lodo-e, B.C. ; Sb. Andrew's Kilwining, No. "451, S.P., Wanganui ; Lodge Sb. ! Androw; Lodge Ponsonby, 708, S.C. ; Misses Courtayne, Mr S. Vaile, Mr and Mrs L. *D. Nathan, Mr YV. P. ■Moab and members of the Ara Lodge, Miss Robertson, Mrs Moss, and Mr C. Buddie. Telegrams expressing sympathy with the family were received from His Excellency tho Earl of Onslow, Sir R. Stout, Sir J. Hall, Hon. E. Mitchelson, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes (M.H.R.), Hon. Mr Man toll, Hon. Mr Cadman, Mr G. Tolhurst, Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, Mr Walrond, Hon. J J . A. Buckley, Mr Parfibb, Mr Irving, Hon. W. P. Reeves, Hon. T. W. Hislop, Hon. G. F. Richardson, Mr E. T. Gillon, Mr R. A. Loughnan, Mr W. A. Ridings, Mr A. M. Smibh and many others.