DEATH OF MR MACDONALD.

Mataura Ensign, 15 March 1909, Page 3

DEATH OF MR MACDONALD.

1 PROSECUTOR FOR SOUTHLAND, SUCCUMBS IN A CAB. VF.R ITVtTKO PKE6S ASSOCIATION. IXVLKUdRGILL, March 15. Mr T. M. Maedonald, Crown Prosecutor, who commenced practice here in ibC2, dropped dead in a cab here this morning. At a recent sitting of the Supremo Court a. son of deceased, Mr Herbert Maedonald, acted as his father's substitute owing to the ill health of the latter. Deceased, who hod arranged to sail for England, leaves a grown-up family. The late Mr Maedonald was exceedingly well known and greatly respected throughout Southland. Ho served articles with the late Sir F. YVhitaker, was admitted to the Bar in 1861, and commenced practice the following year in Invercargill, where ho uuickiy gained a position in the front rank of tho legpl profession and was appointed Provincial .Solicitor and Crown Prosecutor. After practising for some time on his own account he was joined in partnership by Mr liussoll, the firm of Maedonald and Russell being for many years one of the best-known legal firms in tho Dominion. Mr Russell retired some years ago and Mr 11. A. Maedonald joined his father and subsequently Mr A. M. Maedonald was also admitted, tho stylo of the linn at present being T. M. Maedonald and Sons. Tho deceased gentleman, it is understood, was on more than one occasion offered a judgeship, which he could not see his way to accept. His conduct of the Crown cases was marked by great ability, jincl an outstanding feature was his fairness in criminal pro. seditions, lie was a. pillar of the Presbyterian Church and was from his arrival in Invercargill closely identified with tho First Church there*. Mr Maedonald was prominently associated with every movement for the advancement of Southland and Invercargill especially. He was one of the promoters of the movement for tho establishment of the Young Men's, Christian Association m Invercargill and was for many years its president. Ho took a deep interest in educational matters and was the first chairman (if iiie Southland Education Board, retaining the position for a great many years. The deceased (who had not been in robust lioalth for a good while past) was twice married and leaves n family of five sons and four daughters, the latter being Mrs Laws (Dtinedin), Mrs W. Quinn (Invorcargill'i, Mrs Cuthbertson (Invercargill), and Miss Maedonald (Invercargill)".