OBITUARY.
DEATH OF EX-JUDGE WILSON.
DEATH OF JUDGE EDGER.
The many friends of Judge H. F. Edger, of the Native Land Court, will learn with extreme regret of his death, which took place yesterday.
The late judge, who was only in his 56th year, began to complain of internal troubles five weeks ago, and though he was attended by Drs. Gordon, Aubin, and McDowell, he gradually became worse, and it was decided to remove him to the Woodside Hospital, in Burleigh-street, with a, view to performing an operation. He was removed accordingly, and the operation took place on Monday. The patient, however, gradually sank, and expired at one p.m. yesterday.
The deceased was the only son of the late Rev. Samuel Edger, and came out to New Zealand with his father in the early seventies, settling at Port Albert. Joining the Native Land Court staff under the late Chief Judge Fenton, he worked his way up until he was appointed registrar of the Department at Auckland, s , From this position he was promoted to the Native Land Court, and he continued to hold this office until May, 1906, when the Native Department was "reconstructed, and he went to Wellington as under-secre-tary. He held this latter position for 12 months, and then retimed his duties as a Judge of the Native Land Court, an office which he continued to hold up to the time of his death. By his untimely decease the Civil Service loses a most conscientious, hard-working, and able servant. •
The late judge took a keen interest in music, being the founder of the Auckland Orchestral Society as .at present constituted. He leaves a widow, formerly Miss Langsford, to mourn her loss. The Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union, of which Mr. V. Langsford, a brother-in-law of the late judge, is secretary, adjourned its meeting last night out. of respect to the memory of the deceased. The Auckland Orchestral Society also postponed its usual practice for the tame reason.
General regret will also be expressed at the death of ex-Judge Wilson, of the Native Land Court, who passed away at his residence in Grafton Road yesterday morning. The deceased was born at Conde, in France, in 1829, and arrived in New Zealand in the Byron on April 12, 1833, with his father (Rev. J. A. Wilson), who was one of the early missionaries to the Maoris. The years of Mr. Wilson's childhood were spent at the Bay of Islands and in the Bay of Plenty, whore his father was stationed. He was educated at the Waimate Grammar School, King's School (Parramatta, Sydney), and St. John's College, Auckland. Mr. Wileon was for some years engaged in farming at Opotiki, and afterwards at the Tamaki, and while resident at the latter place was a member of the Auckland Provincial Council. When the Maori war broke out Mr. Wilson served first in Nixon's Cavalry from 1861-63, and subsequently as a captain in the 3rd Waikato Militia," 1863-64, the No. 2 Company of that regiment being raised by him at hie own expense. He was also a captain in the 3rd Battalion of Auckland Militia until 1907, when he was placed on the retired list, having served and been liable to serve 46 years- He held the New Zealand war medal.
Mr. Wilson first entered the Government service in 1866, when he was appoint ed special commissioner and Crown agent for settlement of confiscated native lands in the Bay of Plenty. He was land purchase officer for the East Coast district from 1873 to 1876. .In 1878 he was appointed a judge of the Native Land Court and Royal Commissioner for confiscated native lands at Tauranga. He had during the last 30 years at various times held the offices of judge of the Native Land Court, the Native Appellate Court, and the Validation Court, besides that of a trust commissioner.
The late Judge Wilson, who was recognised as an authority on all matters appertaining to the Maori race, was the author of " The Story of To Waharoa," " Sketches of Ancient Maori Life and History," "The Immortality of the Universe," and other pamphlets. He leaves a widow and 11 children and many grandchildren to mourn their loss.
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