NOTABLE CAREER ENDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19960, 31 May 1928, Page 12

NOTABLE CAREER ENDS.

SIR JOHN HOSKINQ'S DEATH. LONG SERVICE TO STATE, GREAT LEGAL KNOWLEDGE, j [BT TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The death occurred this morning at his residence at Highland Park, Wadestown, of Sir John Hosking, K. 8., who retired from the Supreme Court Bench about three years ago. He had been in failing health for some months. Sir John Hosking has been one of the most useful public men in the Dominion for the last three or four years, in that his wealth of legal knowledge and wide experience have been brought to bear upon the serious problems that have arisen as an aftermath of the Great War. When the difficulties contingent upon the moratorium declared at the commencement of the war had become acute it was he who, after his retirement from the Supreme Court Bench, was appointed by the Government under the Mortgages Final Extension Act, 1924, to make inquiries into the adjustments between mortgagees and mortgagors. This work involved sittings throughout the Dominion, extending over several months, and led to settlements that have been of tremendous benefit to the country. Again, he has acted for some time as chairman of the War Pensions Appeal Board, which is still doing excellent-work in inquiring into the intricate matters arising out of claims to pensions, the grot nefs for which have arisen out of latent disease that has only developed sincci the ex-soldiers have returned to their civil occupations. The Bank of N<iw Zealand. Apart from the valuable service which he rendered while a member of the Bench, where he was recognised as one of the soundest and most able of New Zealand Judges, Sir John also acted with Mr. A. Mcintosh in 1913 as a Royal Commissioner to inquire into the working of the Public Trust Office. Owing to his devotion to his calling, 6if John took comparati rely little part in public affairs, although several movements in Dunedin owe- much to his ability. He was entrusted with the extremely difficult tusik of devising and framing the novel and complicated legislation connected with the intervention of the State in the affairs of the Bunk of New Zealand and-the fulfilment of the task reflected on him the greatest credit. Ten Years a Judge. Born at Penzance, Cornwall, in 1854, Sir John Hosking came to New Zealand with his parents as a child, and received his education in Auckland, where the family settled. At the age of 16 he was articled to the late Mr. Samuel Jackson, of the firm of Jackson and Russell, one of the early legal firms of Auckland, and he was admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor by Mr. Justice Gillies in 1875. Shortly afterwards he removed to Dunedin, where in 1877 he became a member of the firm of Kenyon and Hosking, which was carried on until 1898. For the next 10 years ha practised alone, after which he took in Mr. John Cook as partner. In 1907 he was appointed King's Counsel and in 1914 was elevated to the Supreme Court Bench, where he sat until ill-health compelled him to, consider his resignation. In. 1924 he took a long holiday and visited England. On his return he announced his impending retirement, but was prevailed upon to continue occupying his seat on the Supreme Court Bench, in order to deal with applications arising out of the Mortgages Final Extension Act.. Health of Women and Children, Sir John retired early in 1925, and his long record of service on the Bench was recognised by the King in conferring on him the honour of Knight Bachelor in the birthday list of that year. Sir John and Lady Hosking took a prominent part ■in the affairs of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (the Plunket Societv), from the formation in 1907, Lady Hosking being the first president of the organisation in Dunedin. Lady Hosking is now president of the Wellington branch. In addition to giving assistance in an advisory capacity in the framing of rules and in other ways, Sir John was a regular attendant, with Lady Hosking, at the annual meetings of the society. Sir John leaves one daughter, Mrs. Dundas Allan, of Sydney, who is at present in New Zealand, and two sons, Mr. John Hosking. who is at a university in Holland, and Mr. Christopher Hosking, who is farming in Canterbury. The funeral, which will take place at Karori cemetery to-morrow morning, will be preceded by a short service at St. Luke's Church, Wadestown, Members of the legal profession in Auckland will gather at the Supreme Court at 9.45 this morning; to pay tribute to the late Sir John Hosking.