REMARKABLE MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 149, 25 June 1936, Page 5

REMARKABLE MIND.

LATE SIR F. CHAPMAN. TWO FAMOUS CASES. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. Sir Frederick Chapman, who died at Wel I ing ton yesterday, was a man of \ei y remarkable mental possessions. Apart from his great judicial knowledge, he was one of the soundest authorities on New Zealand history, and it is interesting to recall that his last visit to Dunedin, about four years ago. wos to deliver a lecture to the Otago Historical Society, illustrated with some rare old maps and copies of advertisements relating lo the early settlement of the province.

Sir Frederick subsequently presented all his papers to the Hock'en Library, subject to the condition that he could have access to them durin* his lifetime.

Before his elevation to the Bench he was successfully associated in two Dunedin cases, one criminal and the other civil, that arc ranked among the causes celcbres in the Dominion's judicial history. The first case was that in which Hall was charged with the murder of Captain Kane, and it aroused the keenest interest. The prosecution tendered evidence during the tri.'l to prove that Hall lntd attempted to kill his wife with a simi'ar poison to that which resulted in Captain Kane's death. Sir Frederick, who defended Hall, appealed 011 a point of law, and managed to get the jury's verdict! of guilty set aside. Hall was acquitted and subsequently the law was amended to cover the point that Sir Frederick had raised. The civil case arose out of the flooding of the cellars of a large city warehouse after prolonged rain, the Dunedin Citv Council being proceeded against for damages amounting to £30,000. After a brilliant legal battle Sir Frederick swayed the verdict in favour of the council.