OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 June 1942, Page 1

OBITUARY

MR PHINEAS LEVI j Mr Phineas Levi, doyen of the Weilington bar, and a member of the firm 1 of Levi and Yaldwyn. barristers and j solicitors, died at Napier yesterday i morning in his eighty-fourth year. Mr Levi, who* had not practised in recent years, was born in Sydney, being the j ron of Mr David Levi, of that city. Lat—ler l he family took up their residence in Dunedin, where Mr Levi was educated at the North Dunedin School, the Otago ! Hoys’ High School, and Otago University. gaining his M.A. degree in 1887. On leaving school he became an articled clerk in the legal firm of Siev- , wright and Stout in Dunedin, remaining with that firm from 1875 till 1885. He began practice at Palmerston North i in 1885, and after being ** year there, decided to try his chances in Wellington. Since 1887 he practised as a mem- | ber in several partnerships, one of the j longest associations being that of Wilj ford (the late Sir Thomas Wilford) and Levi. The personnel of that firm i changed when Sir Thomas went to | London as High Commissioner. Later Mr Levi was joined by Mr J. B. YaldMr Levi was a keen educationist. He , was a member and chairman of the Victoria College Council for a great many years, having acted as chairman during the last ten years of his service (from i 928 to 1938). He was also a member of the council of Massey Agricultural College from its initiation to the time of his death. Interested in local politics, he was a member of the council and afterwards Mayor of Eastbourne subI urb, in the development of which suburb he was specially interested. He was also a member and president of the Eastbourne Bowling Club for years. In his own profession he was greatly respected. Such were his attainments and knowledge of the more profound aspects of the law that he was not infrequently consulted by fellow members of the bar throughout New Zealand. He was president of the Wellington Law Society in 1919, and was treasurer of the New Zealand Law Society from 1924 till his retirement in 1940. On the occasion of his eightieth birthday, Mr Levi was specially honoured by members of the legal profession in Wellington at a function which took place in the rooms of the Law Society, on which ; occasion he advised his fellow lawyers never to retire. Mr Levi was also very prominent in Masonic circles. As a young man Mr Levi was fond of music, and displayed ability as a pianist. He was secretary of the old Wellington Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (which used to hold its rehearsals in St. Peter’s schoolroom), and was often substitute accompanist when the official one was absent from rehearsal. In that position he was associated with such conductors as the late Mr Hawtrey West, Mr Thomas Tallis Trimnell, and Mr J. Maughan ! Barnett. j Mr Levi was also a director of Stephenson Trading Company, Napier. His wife (nee Miss Rosina Davies, Dunedin) died many years ago. He | leaves two daughters, Mesdames L. j Stephenson and L. Waring. The late !Mr Alfred Levi, optician, of Wellington (the forerunner of the firm of Morrison (end Gilbert, Willis street), was a brother.