MR FREDERICK WILDING, K.C.

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24614, 10 July 1945, Page 6

MR FREDERICK WILDING, K.C.

TRIBUTES FROM BENCH AND SAR Members of the legal profession in Christchurch assembled in the Supreme Courryesterday morning in honour of Mr Frederick Wilding, K.C. Mr E. A. Lee, president of the Canterbury District Law Society said Mr Wilding’s death had severed another link with the early history of the province, “Mr Wilding arrived in New Zealand and commenced practice in Christchurch in 1879, and few have the distinction of practising for so long and with such success,” said Mr Lee. “He continued to take an active interest in his business until a few days before his death, and until then, too, he retained the clarity of thought and judgment which had been an outstanding feature throughout his career. “Most of his brilliance in the Courts belongs to another generation, but those who knew him then still speak of his ability as an advocate and of the success which invariably followed his appearances. His outstanding legal achievements were in the civil courts, where he built for himself a reputation which in his time was surpassed by none and equalled by few. “He had a marked capacity for work, and that industry, together with his great experience and sound knowledge of the law, made him an outstanding member of the profession. By his ability, personality, and service to the public, he built for himself one of those businesses which are the best examples of the honour and tradition of the law in New Zealand. “While it is as a lawyer that we will best remember him, it should be said that it was not only in his profession that he distinguished himself. Apart from his services as an administrator he had a brilliant record as a competitor in athletics, cricket, football, and tennis, and his service to the last sport, and the memory of an internationally famous son. is perpetuated by Wilding Park.” The memory of Mr Wilding would remain fresh for many years, said Mr Lee, and members of the legal profession extended sympathy to his family and business associates. Mr Justice Northcroft said he spoke for the Chief Justice, who was an old personal friend of Mr Wilding, and for all the Judges, in associating the Bench with the Bar in the tribute which had been paid by Mr Lee, who had referred to Mr Wilding’s long practice in the city and in the Court. “Despite his loyal and faithful attention to his professional work, he still had energy and zeal for the encouragement and assistance of young people in those wholesome athletic activities from which had sprung his own well-balanced life,” said Mr Justice Northcroft. The advocate was the servant of justice, he continued, and the service Demanded patient industry, honesty and courage, and required judgment. All those virtues were strengthened, in Mr Wilding on the playing field, and they were all brought by him to the assistance of the Court in the administration of justice. “In his distinguished career on the playing ‘field he acquired also the lesson of give and take, and of tolerance, whence comes the capacity for friendship,” said Mr Justice Northcroft. “Thus, through many years, he was the friend of many. Above all, he was the friend of his profession and of its members. Like all great advocates, while loyal to his client, he was still the friend of the Court. “To the very end Mr Wilding maintained an active association with his honoured profession. His store of learning,, his well-practised judgment, and his wise counsel were freely given by him even within these last fewweeks. His has been a life of great fulfilment, of honour and distinction in his profession, to which profession'he in turn brought both honour and distinction. We hope and trust that this gathering, and these tributes from his fellows of the Bar as well as from his friends on the Bench, may bring comfort to his family- in their great loss. ’ A motion of sympathy with Cr. F. S. Wilding in the death of his father, Mr F. Wilding, K.C., was passed by the Christchurch City Council last evening.