DEATH OF JUDGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22822, 1 September 1937, Page 14

DEATH OF JUDGE

MR..JUSTICE PAGE ARBITRATION COURT WORK LONG ILLNESS SUFFERED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The death has occurred of the Hon. Edward Page, Judge of the Arbitration Court, after an illness which compelled him to relinquish his duties last Easter and accept extended leave. The late Judge had an honourable career in the law as barrister and magistrate before his appointment to tho Arbitration Court in April, 1935, on the retirement of Sir Francis Frazer. He was born irt Wellington in 1877, his father being Mr. J. E. Page, at one time town clerk. After attending the Clyde Quay School and Wellington College, he qualified as a barrister and solicitor at an early age and commenced practice on his own account at Eketahuna in 1903. He remained there until his appointment to the magistracy in 1912, and from 1909 to the latter year was Mayor of the town.

As a magistrate Mr. Page was stationed first in the King Country and later at Waihi, Hamilton and Whangarei, eventually becoming senior magistrate at Wellington. The Government's sense of his capabilities was shown when he was appointed chairman of various commissions of inquiry and other temporary tribunals. In tho Arbitration Court he retained tho respect that he had won during his years as a magistrate. It was obvious last year that his health was unsatisfactory, but he continued to shoulder the heavy burden of work resulting from the reinstatement of the compulsory clauses of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act and the growing volume of workers' compensation cases. Eventually he was given extended leave from the beginning of May, 1937, and Mr. P. J. O'ltegan was appointed temporarily in his place.

As a young man Mr. Justice Page took a keen interest in the volunteer movement and attained the rank of major in the 9th (Wellington) Mounted Bifles.

REFERENCES IN COURT SUCCESSOR'S REGRETS EXAMPLE OF FORTITUDE A tribute was paid to the late Mr. Justice Page in the Arbitration Court, yesterday by his successor, Mr. Justice O'Regan, who said the Court had just learned of his death. "Mr. Justice Page won a high place as a magistrate," His Honor said, "and his brethren of tho legal profession acclaimed his promotion to tho Court of Arbitration as an honour well merited. Soon after his acceptance of that onerous office he was stricken with the illness to which he has now succumbed. "My colleagues, Messrs. Monteith and Prime, were also his colleagues, and they bear testimony to the unflinching courage with which he strove to do his duty, despite the terrible handicap of physical infirmity.' "My own relations with the deceased Judge were always of the most cordial character, and none regretted more than I that illness made his retention of office no longer possible. 1 would hope that each one of us. when he is called upon to obey the inexorable decree of death, will evince the same degree of fortitude, patience and resignation which has characterised the deceased Judge." On behalf of the Bar, Mr. Julius Hogben said he desired to pay a respectful and humble tribute to tho late Mr. Justice Page. He had been privileged to know him for many years personally and as a magistrate and a Judge' of that Court. He knew him especially during his occupancy of the office of' magistrate. Shortly after his appointment to that position he was sent to the Thames gold fields district, and there he carried out his duties not only with dignity but with the ability that was his. On his being removed from that district the speaker well remembered the tribute paid him by counsel, who said that whether his judgments had been for or against them they had never felt cause to disagree with them. He was fair. Ho was a strong character—a man generous and friendly, and they felt they had lost a friend. He had been a great strength both to the magistracy and to that Court, and they paid their respects to him for the services ho had given to the community. LIFE OF SERVICE JUDGE'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT It was with profound regret that he had heard of the death of Mr. Justice Page, and he was glad to pay tribute to the memory of one who had served his country well and who deserved to be remembered with gratitude and affection, said Mr. Justice Fair yesterday. New Zealand had lost one of its best citizens, one who practically gave tho whole of his life to the service of the public. For 23 years Mr. Justice Page had been engaged in the responsible work of a stipendiary magistrate. Ho was a man of outstanding ability, and had not only exceptional capacity, but courtesy, patience and kindliness. During the long time he sat 011 the magistrate's bench lie made a host of friends among those with whom ho came in contact. When a vacancy occurred in the Court of Arbitration it was recognised that he was specially qualified for the post. Although at times the Court's findings were subjected to severe criticism, there never was any suggestion that Mr. Justice Pago's rulings were other than impartial and judicial and tho result of very careful and anxious work. WORDS OF APPRECIATION TRIBUTES FROM BENCH AND BAR [«V TKLKGKAPH —I'ItKSS association] WELLINGTON, Tuesday High tributes to tho late Mr. Justice Pago s personal qualities and ability were paid in tho Supreme Court at a representative gathering of judges, magistrates and members of tho legal profession. Tho Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, said that Mr. Justice Page was always the same honourable and courteous gentleman. Tho public had lost a true and faithful servant, and those who enjoyed the privilege of his friendship had lost a true and loyal friend. The Attorney-General, tho Hon. 11. G. R. Mason, referred to the great courage that caused Mr. Justice Page to struggle on under a very heavy burden of work while suffering from the illness which finally resulted in his death. He said that members of tho Bar joined with the judges in their ex-> pressions. Mr. H. F. O'Learv spoke for tho law practitioners, and Mr. P. B. Cooke for tho Wellington "District Law Society. Court sittings were adjourned till 11 a.m. ♦