CHIEF JUSTICE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18552, 30 November 1925, Page 8

CHIEF JUSTICE.

SIR R. STOUT RETIRES. MR C. P. SKERRETT, K.C., HIS SUCCESSOR. (rßiss associates tkligbam.) "WELLINGTON". November 39. The Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, Las intimated to the Government his intention to tender his resignation to take effect on. February Ist, 1926. The Government has offered the appointment of Chief Justice to Mr C. P. Skerrett, EX., of Wellington, and has boon advised of Mr Skerrett's acceptance of the office. Tho lit. Hon. Sir Robert. Stout, P.C K C.M.G., was born at Lerwick, •Shetland Isles, on September 28th, iai-1 and educated for the teaching profession. Ho arrived in New Zealand in 1863 and followed his profession, being appointed second' master at tho Dunedin Grammar School ana subsecnentlv at the Dunedin District High School. He studied law and was called to the Bar in 18/1. He. was law lecturer at Otago University 1872-73 a member of the Otago Provincial ' Council 1872-76, provincial solicitor 1873-75; Judge of tho Land Claims Court, 1878-79; M.HJt., for Oaversham, 1875;. Attorney-General and Minister of Lands and Immigration in the Grey Ministry, but resigned owing to the serious illness of his partner. He returned to public Me in ISS4, being elected for Dunedin. Ho joined Sir Julius Vogel in the formation of the Stoat-Vogel Administration becoming Premier, AttorneyGeneral, and Minister of Education. On the defeat of this Government in 1887 he withdrew from politics for a few yeans. In 1893, the Ballance Ministry having succeeded the Atkinson Ministry., he was returned for Mangahau at a, by-election, and represented Wellington citv from 1894 to 1897. He then retired from active politics" andi in 1899 was appointed Chief Justice m succession to Sir James Prendergast (resigned). He was a member of the Otago TJniversifcv Council from 1882 to 1887 and Chancellor of the New Zealand University from 1903 to 1922. He was a member of the Victoria College Council for many years. Mr Charles Perrin Skerrett, K.C., who is one of the ablest and bestknown members of the legal profession in tho Dominion, was born and educated in Wellington. He was articled to Messrs BefT, Gully, and Izard, and called to tho Far in 1885. Mr Skerrett, who is- a£ present on a visit to Australia, is a member of the Wellington firm of 'Messrs Chapman, Skerrett, Wylie, and Tripp. For twenty-five years Mr Skcrrettt has been recognised as the best all-round advocate' in New Zealand, and ho has appeared in most of the big cases on the civil side in tho Court of Appeal. Of great personal popularity, both in tho legal profession and out, he has taken a keen interest in political matters, and is president of the New Zealand Welfare League. He has also been a member of the Racing Conference and an official of several racing clubs.