OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 12

OBITUARY.

..; MR, C. E. MATTHEWS. UNDER-SECRETARY OF JUSTICE. ~' FOUND DEAD IN BED. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Tho death occurred during last night of Mr. C. E. Matthews, Under-Secretary for Justice, and Controller-Goneral of Prisons. Mr. Matthews was apparently in his usual state of good health when he arrived at Palmerston North from Wanganui at 8.30 p.m., and retired to bed at the Grand Hotel about an hour later. In the morning ho was found dead in bed. Heart failure is believed to be the cause of death. Tho news, when received in Wellington, caused deep regret in official circles, where Mr. Matthews was regarded with tho highest esteem. "Ho took an immense delight in his work," said Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, in referring to the death of Mr. Matthews. "Ho had a most kindly feeling, even for the worst offenders. Ho never spared himself when there was work to be done, and was essentially anxious to do what ho could for those who had fallen, so that they might ho redeemed and made good citizens. His name will be revered by all who came in contact with him 113 an ideal servant of the Crown." Similar tributes were paid to the late Mr. Matthews in all the Government offices. One head of a department said that he owed much of his success in life to following closely advice he had received from Mr. Matthews many years ago. Tho late Mr. Matthews was born at Havelock in 1872, and ■ was the . son of Mr. F. J. Matthews, a settler there. He mnrried in 1898 a daughter of Mr. W. Wiggins, a Wellington merchant. He was a well-known oarsman in his youth, and competed successfully at the ■Wellington Regatta. He joined the Public Service as a cadet in the Treasury, and was transferred to the Department of Justice in 1895. From 1896 to 1900 he was private secretary to the Ministers for Justice and Defence, and from 1900 to 1919 was private secretary to the Ministers for Justice, Mines, and Public Works. He was appointed chief clerk to the Prisons Department in 1910, chief clerk of the Justice Department in 1912, deputy-ir<n.lector of prisons in the same year, and inspector of prisons in 1914. In 1919, when new- legislation set up the position of. Controller-General of Prisons, Mr. Matthews was appointed to that post, and three years later was appointed Under-Secretary, for Justice. In addition to his duties in the Prisons Department, he was a member of the Prisons Board since 1915. Mr. Matthews was the author of "Evolution of ■ the New Zealand Prison System," which was published last year. The. advance made ill prison administration, and the treatment of offenders during recent years which has made New Zealand famous even among older communities,. has been due in large measure to the wide experience, initiative, and executive ability of the deceased.