SIR R. STOUT’S CAREER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 December 1925, Page 7

SIR R. STOUT’S CAREER.

STORY OF A, BUSY LIFE. TEACHER TO CHIEF JUSTICE Sir Robert Stout’s career can be pointed to as a brilliant example of the height to which a man of individuality and energy can rise in a democratic community. More than GO years ago he came to New Zealand as a humble worker in the cause of education, but filled with ambition for further knoxvledge. By sheer perseverance, largely oil the line* of self-education, be made himself one of the best-informed persons in the land, qualified lor the law, became eventually its leading light in the Dominion and in the meantime had entered Parliament, had become Premier of the country and afterwards its Chief Justice.

Born at Lerwick, in the Shetland islands in 1844, Sir Rbbert, who is now in his 82nd year, was educated in the parish school, in which he became a pupil-teacher at- the age of 13. When 19 veans of age lie came to New Zealand, arriving at Dunedin early in 1864. After a. period of school teaching lie commenced the study of law and in July, 1871, was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor. For three .sessions lie was law lecturer at the Otago University, relinquishing the position when he entered Parliament. His public career began in 1874, when he was elected to the Otago Provincial Council, which, however, ceased to function a year or two later. Entry Into Parliament. It was in 1876 that Sir Robert first took his seat in Parliament as representative for Oaversham. In the general election of the same year lie was returned as a representative of Dunedin City. When, in 1877. 'Sir George Grey formed his Liberal Ministry, Sir Robert took office as Attorney-General and he also held the portfolios of Lands, Education and Immigration. In 1879 lie found it necessary to withdraw from Parliament, owing to the urgent demands of private business. Again he entered the political arena in 1884, when he was returned for Dunedin Hast. In 1884 Sir Robert became Premier in the first Stout-Vogel Ministry, which, however, survived for- only 12 days and then gave place to one of the Atkinson Ministries, which lasted only «six days. Then the Stout-Vogel Ministry resumed office and endured until October, 1887. In that year occurred another general election, which restored the Atkinson party to power. An event that surprised the rest of tjie colony wax the defeat of the Premier himself, Mr. J. (now Sir James) Allen winning the seat by a sural] majority. Several members were willing to resign in Sir Robertas favour, but lie declined their offers and for some years devoted himself entirely to his law practice.

Appointment as Chief Justice

Sir Riobert re-entered the political arena in June, 1893, when he was elected to represent Inangahua, that seat having become vacant through the resignation of Mr. R. H. P. Peeves. In the general election in November, 1893, be was returned for Wellington City, which lie continued to represent for tlie remainder of bis Parliamentary life. The final severance took place by resignation on February 10, 1898, Sir Robert explaining publicly that his duty to lux family demanded that for some time he should devote the whole of bis attention to liis profession. For the next 16 months Sir Robert continued his law practice. On the resignation of Sir James Frendergast of the office of Chief Justice, in June, 1898, Sir Robert Stout was appointed his successor. Phenomenal Industry. Throughout hits judicial career, as, indeed, in all liid public and private life, one of Sir Robert’s distinguishing characteristics has been his phenomenal industry. As was fitting in the case of one who worked so diligently in seifculture and was thoroughly humanitarian in Sir Robert has always been enthusiastic in regard to all branches of education. Throughout liis period of public life he lias been an active member of some educational body, starting from school committees and working onwards to high school boards, education boards, the Otago University Council and the Senate of the New Zealand University. He was chancellor of the university for 20 years.