LEGISLATOR'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16876, 14 June 1918, Page 4

LEGISLATOR'S DEATH.

SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON, K.E.

LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.- -PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Thursday. The death of Sir Charles Johnston. K.R. occurred this afternoon after a 1.,-ng ill-

Sir Charles J. Jul. ..-ton was V. rn in Wellington in 1345. a;: 1 was cdi.. r c ! rim hi Wellington a:.d afterwards in l.ug.and. He returned to New Zealand in „4. ~:; entered the mercantile house of Messrs. Join i ton and Company, of which h.s father, the late Hoi.. John Johnston, was the founder. In 1632 he v. as returned to the House of Representatives as member for Te Aro, and at the following general election he was reelected lor the same constituency. He resigned his scat before the expiry of his second term, in order to visit England. On returning, he Tendered valuable assistance to Irs native c tv in many ways, and was e'er ted M.ivor ..idling 1890. the jubilee year of the city at d colony. In 18J1 he was a; p, i; ted to t!,q Legislative Council, his name be.no included in the last litt of Legisiat.ve Councillors who were made men.nets for life. Sir Charles look a 1 veiy interest in the volunteer movement, and on the formation of the Wellington Naval Brigade he was appointed captain, and later became cap tain-commandant on tie art, reserve. He served in the Parihaka expedition, and was appointed lieutenant on the unattached list of the New Zealand Militia in 1859. St Charles became Speaker of the Legislative I Council on July 7. 1915. . and had the I honour of Knight Bachelor conferred upon him in May of this year, the K.ng, in j view of the recipient's illness, command'.r.g i that the announcement should he marie i then instead of on His Majesty';' birthday.

The death of Sir Charles Johnston leaves only one surviving Ife member of the Legislative Council, he being the Hon. Captain Baillie. who has been a member of the upper chamber for no less than 57 years, his appointment dating from Marrh, 1861. Prior to 1891. all appointments to the Council were made for life. Since September of that year, such appointments have been tenable for sever, years onlv, although any Councillor may be reappointed at the end of his term. Other life members of the Council who have d'ed during the past 18 month? were the late Sir Georee McLean, Hon. J. D. Ormonti, Sir Charles Bowen. and Sir Henry Miller.