EARLY PROPHECY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 41, 20 February 1929, Page 10

EARLY PROPHECY

"FAME WILL COME"

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S TRIBUTE

(By Telegraph.) • (Special to "The Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN,'This Day.

"I am very sorry to hear 6£ the death of Sir-Charles Skerrett," said Sir Kobert, Stout, who was his predecessor in. tho Chief. Justiceship. "Apparently the walls: of his arteries were weak after thp first amputation.and his second leg had.,to 'be amputatod. Perhaps at sea there has been au additional pressure on the heart aud that has led to this catastrophe. I am. exceedingly sorry to hear of his death, and my, feelings go put to his sister, who has been his kind and devoted nurso for some time.

"I have known Sir Charles since ho was » lad. Tho first time I saw him, although ho was not introduced to me then, was whon he was a pupil under Mr. John Qammell, one of, the ablest teachers wo have ever had in New Zealand. Mr. Gammell later became Inspector of Schools, and he was well known among educationists for his learning and ability. Ho told mo that he had a.very high opinion of the boy's character and ability, and ho believed that fame would come to him, and it came.

"Sir' Charles's father was an able man, and,: although lio did not occupy, a high position, I believe ho camo from a good', family in. County Mayo, and his son had many of tho ■ qualities associated with the Irish race:—humour, clearness, and eloquence in speaking. His father was. only a Court crier in Wellington, but he studied and was able to pass his law examination and be admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court. Considering ' Mr. Skcrrett, senior's, age 1 and his past history—ho was a sergeant in the Army in India— he showed great ability in gaining that distinction. The lato Chief Justice was an able man and an able lawyer, and I • feel' sure that everyone admired his character. He was very trustworthy and- fair in all ■ his dealings.' No ono could-have acted better than ho dift as a member of _the profession. He wag also a man given to study and reading, and the' Bench in New Zealand has lost; a' most able Judge, one whom I* am suro the lawyers and others who came in contact with him admired and loved. ■ '

"I- am muchdistresesd at his passing' from '• us. I thought that, having gone' through two sever©'operations, it might' have happened that with rest and ease he would have recovered his strength and have been, able to again perform his duties. I think his life ought ■ to be an example to our young men, showing what hard study and work, and high character, will do in New Zealand for her youths. "*