DEATH OF MR F. WILDING, K.C.

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24611, 6 July 1945, Page 4

DEATH OF MR F. WILDING, K.C.

SIXTY YEARS IN LEGAL PRACTICE OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC v RECORD f Doyen of the legal profession in New Zealand, and senior King’s Counsel for the Dominion, Mr Frederick Wilding died in Christchurch yesterday. He was 92, and had achieved the record of practising as a lawyer for more than 60 years. As a young men, Mr Wilding had considerable success as an athlete, and his interest in sport continued subsequently, when he became well known as an administrator of athletics, tennis, and cricket. The name of his son, Captain .Anthony Wilding, the international lawn tennis champion, who was killed in action in 1915, is commemorated at Wilding, Park, Christchurch, of which Mr Wild-' ing was a founder. Known as the “father of Lancaster Park,” -Mr Wilding associated himself freely with movements to provide for public recreational facilities. Born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, where his father was a doctor, on November 20, 1852, Mr Wilding was educated at Hereford Cathedral • School and at Shrewsbury. In 1874 he was admitted as a solicitor in .England, and afterwards read in a barrister’s chambers for admission to the Bar. However, he decided to leave for New Zealand before being called to the Bar. After arriving in the Dominion in 1879 he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor. Mr Wilding commenced practice in / Christchurch in 1879 in partnership with Dr. Foster, The style of his firm underwent several changes, being in turn Wilding and Lewis; Wilding, Lewis, and Rolleston; and (when Mr H. D. Acland joined the firm in 1903) Wilding, Acland, and Murchison. The firm is now known as Wilding and Acland, and at the time of Mr Wilding’s death his son, Mr F. S. Wilding, and Mr A. C. Perry were also partners in it. Mr Wilding was one of the first, men to take silk in New Zealand, his patent being dated August 6, 1913.

Consequently, he did not come under the present rules debarring a barrister of the rank of King’s Counsel from practising as a solicitor. His years of practice as a solicitor remained unbroken from 1879. Both in England and in New Zealand, Mr Wilding won early distinction as an athlete. As a youth, he became one of the best all-round athletes in Herefordshire, and held the long jump record for Shrewsbury School (20ft 6in). He represented his county at cricket, and also played Rugby football for West of England with conspicuous success. He was a first-class oarsman, sprinter, and tennis player. Before leaving England, ho narrowly missed selection for England in international Rugby. He rowed at Henley, his crew winning the West of England •fours and other trophies. On his arrival in New Zealand, Mr Wilding was chosen to play cricket for Canterbury, and he retained his place in the provincial team for 20 years, scoring mbre than 1000 runs and taking more than 100 wickets. In 1888. in a match at Christchurch, be took eight wickets for 21 runs, and in 1896, when he played for New Zealand against an Australian team, he took three for 20. In New Zealand, Mr Wilding also continued his successful career as a tennis player. With Mr R. W, Harman, he was five times doubles champion of the Dominion. In 1906, he partnered his son, Anthony Wilding, in doubles matches at Prague. On the administrative side of sport, Mr Wilding was equally well known and successful. He was an early official of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and for several years was president of the Canterbury Cricket Association. He was also a former president of the New Zealand Cricket Council. Mr Wilding married Hiss Julia Anthony, daughter of Alderman Charles Anthony, Mayor of Hereford. Mrs Wilding died in and of their family of five, two sons and one daughter survive. They are Miss Cora Wilding, of “Fownhope,” St. Martins, Mr F, S. Wilding, and Mr Edwin Wilding, of Conway Flat. - .