THE LATE JUDGE HALSE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 849, 8 June 1888, Page 12

THE LATE JUDGE HALSE.

It is with deep regret that we have to chronicle the death of one of our oldest as well as most respected colonists, in the person of Mr Henry Halse, who passed away Bhortly before midnight on Tuesday last at his late residence, Tinakori-road. The news of Mr Halse’s death comes upon us with a shock, being as it was, totally unexpected, even by the members of his family! Constitutionally he was exceedingly hale ond vigorous, never having had a severe illness. About six weeks ago, how-

ever, ho caught cold, but from this he had quite recovered and was about again, having to all appearances quite recovered. Shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday Mr Halse retired to his room, and he was in the act of bathing his feet in a hot water bath when a sudden change came over him, and his breathing got short and oppressive. On being put to bed he became worse ; and on the arrival of Dr Kemp, who had been at once sent for, he had got so low that medical aid was of no avail. He sank gradually, and about midnight, as stated, passed away very peacefully. The immediate cause of death was syncope of the heart. The late Mr Halse was prominent amongst the noble band of hardy colonist i who have roughhewn the fortunes of New Zealand, and was a man of exceptional ability as well as great physioal courage and energy. He was born in tho City of London in the year 1819, and after completing his education, entered at St George’s Hospital with the intention of pro. secuting the study of medicine. A desire lor travel aud adventure subsequently led him to abandon this intention, and on the 25th March, 1841, he set sail from Pljmouth in the Amelia Thompson, a barque of 4SO tons, commanded by Captain Dawson, bound for the then all but unknown shores of. New Zealand. He was accompanied by his late brother, Mr William Halse, and there were about a dozen other saloon passengers and about 180 steerage passengers. On the 2nd August the vessel reached Wellington, aud oh the 3rd September she arrived at New Plymouth, whither Mr Halse went in her. For several years after his arrival Mr Halse occupied himself in agricultural pursuits in the province of Taranaki, and on the 18th June, 1846, he entered the public service. His great ability was taken advantage-of in several spheres of usefulness, hut unfortunately the official record of his services has not been .kept. It is certain, however; that in 1859 he was appointed a Resident Magistrate in the Province of Auckland. Hu succeeded the late Sir Donald (then Mr) McLean as Commissioner of Police in New Plymouth, but the date of this appointment is not known. Previous to this he was Commissioner of Native Re. serves at New Plymouth, having been appointed to that position on the_l2th April, 1858. About 1862 he was appointed Assistaut Native Secretary, and in 1875 a Judge of the Native Lands Court, which position he filled with the greatest credit till ,the Ist October, 1880, whon he retired. In his judicial capacity Judge Halse was considered one of tho most able of those who have administered Native affairs, being, as lie was, a thorough Maori linguist and a high-minded and conscientious man. These sentiments were given expression to by Mr W. Rolleston, the Native Minister who was in office at the time of Mr Halse’s retirement, and he sent him a letter in which he conveyed to him iu tha most flattering terms the high appreciation of the Government of his long and faithful services during, his 35 years of office. So popular also with the Natives was Mr Halse that on his retirement a petition was sent in to the Government signed by the late Wi Pere aud 64 Natives, in which they asked for his reinstatement as judge. Tho late Mr Halse was as greatly esteemed iu private life as elsewhere, for his many noble qualities and his- genial manner and kinaly smile will long be missed by all who knew him. He leaves a widow and several grown up sons and daughters to mourn their loss. We might mention that the late Mr Halse ia a brother of Mr George Halse, the widely.known amateur sculptor, of London,