DEATH OF MR. GEO. BASTIN.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 478, 10 April 1909, Page 11

DEATH OF MR. GEO. BASTIN.

; --'TRIBUTES TO HIS'MEMORY. An old and highly respected citizen in tho person of Mr. Gcorgo Dastin, formerly usher and custodian at tho Supremo Court, passed away oh Thursday morning at his residence in Salamanca Road. For sonir, days, tht deceased, who was in his 74th yoar, had been ailing. Heart disease was tho causo ot death. When eight years of age tho late Mr. Bastin who was born at Exeter, in Devonshire, wen* to work in a brickfield. Ho became drivo'i to a local doctor four years later. Subsequently ho entered tho service of Sir Stafford Northcote, afterwards Earl Iddcsloigh. One of Ins duties was to instruct in tho art of horsemanship Lord Northcote, late GovernorGeneral of Australia. His next position waa that of head coachman to Sir W. Stephenson, Governor of Mauritius. Owing to tho illhealth of Mrs. Bastin ho returned to England. For some years prior to his appoint- ' ment to tho position of usher and caretaker of tho Supremo Court he was in the employ of Mrs. Rhodes. Of kindly and obliging disposition, tho late Mr. Bastin was held in tho highest esteem. YWion ho retired from his position in the Supremo Court last May, after 22 years' service, ho was the recipient of presentations from tho judges, their secretaries, members of the legal profession, and tho officers of tho Court. About four vears ago ho published a work entitled "The Stable and How . to Teach and Train tho Horse." His wife predeceased him 15 years ago. Ho leaves a tamily of two daughters; Mrs. M'Coll, wifo of the superintending engineer of tho corporation power houses, and Miss Bastin, and ono son, Mr. Walter Bastin, of the firm of Messrs. Harris and Bastin, Wellington. Tho funeral will tal;o place to-day. Reference to (he death of Mr. Bastin was ' made by Mr. Justico Cooper at the Supremo Court on Thursday morning. His Honour said that bad tho other judges been in tho building ho would have consulted them with a view of having somo expression of opinion from tho Bench as a whole in regard to tho respect in which Mr. Bastin was held. Ho was sure that he was speaking not only for all tho members of tho-Bench but also for all the members of the profession and othcers of tho Court in saying that Mr. Bastin was a man who was respected, a man of sterling character, and a man of great courtesy, whose one idea was to perform his duties in tho highest possiblo regard for what was right and just. Mr. Bastin waa held in tho highest esteem by all the judges, who had a personal regard for him. On behalf of tho Bench, profession, and Court ohieials, be extended to the relatives of Mr. . Bastin their sincero sympathy with them iii tho bcroavemenf they had suffered. Unfortunately ho (his Honour! had to leave that' morning for Auckland, othcrwiso ho most certainly would have attended the funeral. "I ■ am glad," added his Honour, "to have had an opportunity to add publicly mv testimony to the character of a good man who lias passed away full of years and lull of honour." On behalf of tho profession, Mr. Levi said - bo was sorry more members wore not prosent. All would endorse the tributes which had fallen from his Honour. Personally, ho had known Mr. Bastin ever since ho had como to Wellington, which was shortly after Mr ' llastin received the appointment of usher and caretaker of tho buildings. Ho felt suio that ovory member of the profession had always received every consideration and courtesy, from Mr. Bastin. They would regret to hear ot his death and join with members of the Bench in extending to his relatives their ' sinccrest sympathy. Mr. H. F. Johnston also joined in tho expression of regret on the death of Mr. Bastin.