MAKERS OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20333, 14 August 1929, Page 8

MAKERS OF AUCKLAND.

DOCTORS AND LAWYERS.

EAHLY PRACTITIONERS.

* . MEN OF DISTINCTION

MANY PLEASANT MEMORIES.

r.Y F.W.W No. XXX

Of iho early medical men of Auckland l hero ato several whoso characters aro iNijrraiit memories to the families they :ri ved. Four of tho public leaders of I'i'jneor days had medical qualifications—- ! if. John Logan Campbell, " Father of Auckland," Dr. Andrew Sinclair, first < < ■louial- Secretary, Dr. D. Pollen, an 'aily legislator, arid Dr. Furchas, the 'cverend Onehunga clergyman—but were much occupied with other interests lbat they practised little, if at all. Some 'if tho first practitioners had been connected with Imperial regiments that camo to Auckland. One of theso was Dr. A. 8. Thomson, who had been with tho 58th Jiegimont, and who was tho author of one of tho most interesting early books on tho colony, " Tho Story of Now Zealand," in two volumes, published in 1859. Such, also, was Dr. T. M, Philson, who camo out in 1845 as surgeon to tho 58th, and took part in tho Heko War, being mentioned in despatches for his services at tho battle of iluapekapeka. 110 went south with his regiment, and saw further fighting in tho Wellington and Wanganui districts. In 1850 ho resigned from tho Army and began private practice in Auckland, in which ho continued for 48 years. From 1858 ho was also in charge of tho Auckland Provincial Hospital, and held tho position until, after 25 years, ho resigned becauso of tho disablement of his right hand through blood-poisoning. Dr. Philson was district coroner of Auckland and surgeon to tho gaol.

Another man distinguished for his public positions as well as his personal qualities was Dr. C. F. Goldsbro, who had had a brilliant career in London before his arrival in Auckland in 1860—had been house surgeon to the Charing Cross Hospital, and medical officer to the General Post Office, London. 110 bccamo coroner of the gaols and hospitals of the district, senior surgeon to tho militia and volunteers—received tho New Zealand War medal—and physician to various local institutions. For some time after Dr. Philson's retirement Dr. Goldsbro acted as medical superintendent of the hospital. Sorao Old Family Doctors.

Of old-timo privato practitioners, two of the best-remembered are Drs. S. J. Stratford and Wright, who were father-in-law and son-in-law respectively, and were in partnership in their profession. Others who dated from tho 50's were Drs. Martin—another ex-army man—R. Dallistoii, John and E. B. Nicholson, Ozanne, and Carl Fischer. Dr. F. W. E. Dawson arrived as a child with bis parents in 1854, studied under Dr. Stratford, and was the first medical student from Auckland to go Homo to complete his qualifications. After doing so he returned to Auckland, was for 30 years surgeon to tho Fountain of Friendship Lodge o£ Oddfellows, attained to tho rank of brigade-surgeon, lieutenantcolonel 'in the Auckland Engineers, and was a prominent worker and churchwarden of St. Matthew's Church. Two well-known contemporaries who

settled in the city in the 60's were Drs. T. B. Kenderdino and J. H. Hooper. Dr. Konderdino came to North New Zealand as early as 1854, and practised at Whangarei and Otahuhu before ho set- < led down in Auckland in 1861, living for many years in Princes Street on the site afterwards, and until lately, occupied, by the Museum. Dr. Hooper arrived in time lo participate in the medical work of the Waikato war, during which ho was assistant-surgeon to the/principal medical officer of tho British troops, and had charge of the military hospital in tho Albert Barracks, with Dr. McShano. Ho was a member of the first' surgical staff of tho Auckland Hospital. Tho professional careers of such men as Drs. T. Hope Lewis, F. T.Bayntun, Drs. Haines (two), T. 0. Wine, and others of the early period, bring us down to the days of men mostly trained in the colonial university colleges, and to those well known to present-day citizens.

Some of tho Early Lawyers. Si.mo of tho pioneer barristers of Am.klaud were men whoso stories have ajiaady been recounted in connection 'with the legislative institutions, as, for example, Sir Frederick Whitaker and Iho Hon. Thomas Russell, who formed the lirm of Whitaker and Russell. Another conspicuous lawyer-legislator was Mr. I'. W. Merriman, who was the Crown solicitor of his day. Ho sab in both the Provincial Council (1855-61) and tho House of Representatives (1853-60) as member for tho Suburbs of Auckland, and was Chairman of Committees of the House in 1854-5. /Three Russells, who were brothers, figured among tho practitioners of tho 60's. Besides tho Hon. Thomas Russell, already mentioned, thero wero Mr. James Russeil, who, with Mr. Samuel Jackson, made up the firm of Jackson and Russell, and Mr. J. B. Russell, head of the original firm of Russell and Devore. Other lending firms of this and tho immediately following period wero Gillies and Richmond, composed of Mr. T. B. Gillies and Mr John Richmond until Mr. Gillies was appointed Judge of tho Supremo Court, when Mr. Edwin Hesketh took his place, and tho stylo of tho firm becarno Hesketh and Richmond; Messrs. Beveridgo and Alexander, previously Beveridge and Ritchie, of whom Mr. Andrew Beveridgo was head of Scottish Freemasonry in Auckland ; Messrs. C. E. MacCormick and E. A. McKechnie, tho former of whom is represented hero now by son, Judge of tho Native Land Court; Messrs. Hughes and Hughes, father and son. i\rnong solo practitioners were Mr. 1. Shailer Weston, who becarno a District Court Judge and also sat in Parliament for West Coast constituencies, while his son with tho same initials is now a Legislative Councillor; Mr. R. W. Wynn and Mr. W. H. Kissling, ono of the son 3 of Archdeacon Kissling. From the offices of these firms most of tho leading barristers of later years can trace their training, cither directly or indirectly. ' A Redoubtable Stonewaller.

Mr. W. L. Rees represented City East both in the last Provincial Council and in tlic House of Representatives of 1876-9, and was again in tho House for Auckland City from 1800 to 1893, when ho resigned. For two years of tho latter terra he was Chairman of Committees. Parliamentary traditions credit Mr. Rees with having mado one of the longest stonewalling speeches on record. Another of his claims to remembrance is that he and his daughter wrote an excellent biography of Sir George Grey. Mr. E. A. McKechnie, of MacLor truck and McKechnie, apart from Ins - law connection, was a man R eply interested in matters artistic, scientific and literary. Ho was ho donor of the McKechnie bequests t<4 tho Museum, Public Library and Sonety of Arts, to tho last-named of which • ha « heen president. For many years he was a member of the City Council and chairman ot the Hospital Board. ■ / ( t'° ho continued daily.)