OBITUARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 17

OBITUARY.

SIR PATRICK BUCKLEY

1811-1896.

Tho illness of our old friend ended peacefully in death on May 18th. Though sorely stricken at the end of last session, he rallied surprisingly, and threw himself into his judicial work with much vigour and systematic determination. He was on the threshold of what he hoped would be a great judicial career, all his care was to do his duty faithfully, his work during his short circuit at Wanganui, Napier, Nelson and Blenheim proved congenial, and was done in the most conscientious spirit It seemed that ho had long years of usefulness before him. Unfortunately a stormy passage from Blenheim in a small steamer, faced deliberately for the purposo of keeping the advertised time of his Court, proved too much for him. The strain threw him back into the old complications. Tho heart grew weak once more, and angina pectoris set in with all its terrible pains. His .medical attendant, Dr Cahill, was unremitting in his attentions, did for him all that medical skill could do, watched him every night with unremitting ca r e, through the two months of his illness. Tho complications abated, the pains ceased, and thero seemed, two days ago, no reason why the patient should not recover and be fit for duty. But Sir Patrick suddenly caught cold, and his weakened system was unable to resist the attack. The cold seized on his lungs, pneumonia set in, and it very soon became evident that lie was doomed. He was prepared for tho end, and met it with becoming resignation and dignity. Tho last scene was peaceful and touching. Dr Cahill and Father Lane had been with him all night. Father Devoy and Dr Watters, of St. Patrick’s College, joined tnem and Lady Buckloy in the sick room about noon yesterday, and while thoy were saying tho prayers for the dying, his old colleagues —Mr Seddon, Mr McKenzie and Mr Ward—came in. Ho knew them, greeted them, they joined in tho prayers, and then came unconsciousness. Towards the end Sir Patrick revived lor a momont, looked his last on tho companion of his life and on his friends ; and presently ho Eassed peacefully away. A man of kindly oart, a generous friend, charitable and hospitable, he has gone to bis rest. Tne Hon Sir Patrick Alphonsus Buckley, K.C.M.G., Judge of the Supremo Court, was born near Castle Townsend, in County Cork, in 1841, and was the second son of tho late Mr C. Buckley. Ho received his early education at tho Mansion House in that city, and having matriculated, was at college in Paris, and afterwards went to tho University of Louvain in Belgium, one of tho most ancient and famous of European Boats of learning._ While studying at this institution, he was, in 1860, commissioned by Count Carlo MacDonald, private chaplain to tho Pope, to conduct recruits from Ostend to Vienna for tho Irish Papal Brigado to defend tho States of tho Church against tho Piedmontese. At Vienna ho gave them ovor to the Papal authorities, who wore waiting to receivo them. His chief was Genoral Lamoricicr, under whom ho caw some stirring sorvieo, boing twice wounded. He was prosent at the battle of Castel Fidardo, and was taken prisonor at tho storming of Ancona. His captivity, however, was of short duration, and soon after his release ho returned to Louvain. Quitting tho University with the degree of Licentiate, ho returned homo to Ireland, and having decided upon tempting Fortune at tho Antipodes, he, towards the end of 18G2, went out to Queensland. Studying colonial law under Mr Lilloy, now Cbiof Justico Lilloy, of Queensland, ho was soon admitted a barrister of tho Supremo Court of tho colony, and commenced the practice of his profession. Mr Buckley was also admitted to tho Victorian Bar. In 18tif> ho quitted Queensland and came over to Now Zealand, settling in Wellington and entering into partnership with Mr C. E. Button and Mr W. S. Keid, tho present Solicitor-General. That firm was dissolved in 1807, and Mr Buckley then entered into partnership with the Hon Kobert Hart, whoso death wo lately chronicled, under tno title of Hart and Buckley. Mr Hart retired from the firm in 1880, when Mr Buckloy entered into partnership with Mr Edward Stafford and Mr H. S. Fitzberbart, of Palmerston North. Ultimately, in 1886, Mr Buckley re-entered into partnership with Mr Stafford, joining with them Mr C. H. Treadwell and Mr Barton, and they continued to carry on business as Messrs Buckloy, Stafford and Treadwoll (Mr Barton having retired in 1888) until December, 18 >5, when Sir Patrick Buckley retired from the firm on his acceptance of tho appointment to tho Mipreme Court. Mr Buckley took a great interest in both local and general polities from the very commencement of his career in this Colony. From 1871 to 1873 ho sat in tho City Council, and was also a member of tho Wellington Piovincial Council, representing the K.iroriMakara district. At tho last election for the Provincial Council he was elected for Wellington at the head of tho poll, defeating such well-known and popular local identities as Messrs bb Pearce, Geo. llunler, Waring-Tay-lor, J. Drnnsfield and Geo. Crawford. Ho was Provincial Solicitor for tho last Admini-tra-Don under that regime until tne abolition of | tho province-. In 1878 ho was appointed to a scat in the Legislative Council, and in .m Umber, 1881, on the accession of the etoui- i Vogel Government to office, ho became • Colonial Secretary. Ho retired with Ins I colleagues in October, 1837. When, in 181* 1, Mr Ballance was sent for by Lord Onslow, ho cboso Mr Buckley as one of his Ministry, allotting to him tho portfolios of Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General. On Queen’s Birthday, 1892, Her Majesty conferred a knighthood upon him in recognition of his long and valuable sorvieos to tho Colony. Sir Patrick has always taken a groat interest in Volunteering. Ho raised No. 1 Battery of Artillery (now the D Battery), which ho commanded for six or sevon years, and was exceedingly popular with his mon, albeit a stickler for strict discipline and smart work. Ho married Alice, tho only daughter of the late Hon Sir William Fitzherbort, K.C.M.G.

On the sad nows of Sir Patrick Buckley's death being received in tho Court of Appeal at 10 minutes past 4, the Chief Justice said ho had been informed their colleague, Mr Justice Buckley was dead, and out of respect to his memory tho Court would adjourn until 10.30 o’clock next morning. In the Court of Appeal on Tuesday the Chief Justice made fooling reference to tho death of Sir Patrick Buckloy , and said tho members of tho Court could only express their regret that they had not had tho opportunity of making his acquaintance as a colloaguo. Mr Jellicoe, on bohalf of tho Bar, also expressed regret at the death of Judge Buckley, who, ho remarked, had to ex-

tend assistance to the junior members of the Bar. When tho case occupying the attention of the Court was concluded, the Court adjourned until Thursday morning. Mr R. L. Stanford, speaking at the Magistrate’s Court, Palmerston North, on Tuesday, said the late Sir Patrick Buckley was best known to the present generation of men as a politician high in the political world, and this fact no doubt obscured the forensic skill which the older people knew him to possess. They all know him best as a politician gifted with the ability for practical management and kindly, gracious which served so well to smooth over tho inequalities of life. If there was a hard or a very difficult thing to be done no one would discharge the unpleasant duty with so much grace or courtesy as the iate Mr Justice Buckley. , There wero those still living who remembered tho time when by his forensic eloquence and dovotion to duty he gained the goodwill of so many litigants. He believed that had the late Sir Patrick Buckley’s life been spared, the Colony he had served so well would by-and-hy have declared that a hotter Judge had never sat upon the Bench. Mr G. F. Hawkins, on behalf of the Palmerston Bar, agreed with all the Magistrate had said in reference to Sir Patrick Buckley. The Government made arrangements to enable mourners from the Hntt to attend the funeral, and with the object special carriages were provided in the 1.30 p.m. train from the Hutt yesterday.

The Government Buildings were closed from 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon, to enable the Government officers to attend the funeral of the deceased.

Tho remains of the decease 1 gentleman wore brought into Wellington b.v road mi I ly -- dav evening, accompanied by the V iwy Rev !• at,her Lane, and taken to h'L Jo-.ph's Chundi, Buckle street, the coffin being cu-ricd in o the church bv sever.':! old friends ottne decerned, including Messrs >.l. Rffiau, Corrigan, W. Ross, It. \V. Kane. Robinson, Denneliy, John Gallagher and Jam s Ga 1 - lagher. It was received at the door of the church by tho Very Rev Father Devoy and the Very Rev Dr Watters, several of the faculty of St. Patrick’s Collego assisting, while a largo congregation was present in tho church. Prayers for the deceased wore said by tho Very' Rev Father Devoy, and the watches last night were kept by several friends of the deceased. At 10.30 yesterday morning Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph s Church, and tho funeral procession left there at 2.30 p.m., proceeding through the town on to Lambton quay, up Molesworth and Hill streets, and thence to tho Karon Cemetery. At the meeting of tho New Zealand Workers’ Union on Tuesday night it was decided to send a lotter of condolence to Lady Buckley. Profound regret is expressed on all sides in Masterton at the announcement of tho death of Sir Patrick Buckley. The flag was flying at half-mast on Tuesday on tho Government Buildings, Auckland, as a mark of respect to tho late Sir Patrick Buckley and the lion Dr Pollen, M.L.C.

DR POLLEN. 1812-1896. One of tho most upright of our public men has passed awav at the ripe age of eightyfour. A man distinguished for culture, for refinement, for brilliant eloquence, rare debating power, elegance of wit, extensive information, and earnest public spirit, Daniel Pollen will not easily be replaced. One of the landmarks of tho Legislative Council he was, as well as of the history of the Colony. As a man lie was universally respected ; ns a politician, or rather as a Councillor (for thero is a distinction which should be bore observed), wo have described him truthfully above ; as a journalist, none more solid, more brilliant, more ready, more graceful with his pen ; we speak with a duo sense of the abiding honour it is to sit in the editorial chair lie occupied for a short time with so much ability and force. Dr Pollen, who was born in 1812, arrived in the Colony in 1839, after which he spent about two years in Sydney and the Islands, return-in'.-to New Zealand in 1813. He first ot all settled in the Bay of Island-:, after which he took up his residence in Auckland, where he has lived ever since, and. with Dr Campbell, enjoyed the distinction of being one cf the earliest remaining settlers of the Auckland Provincial district.

He was a prominent member of the Legislative Council for over forty years. “1 he Cyclopedia of New Zealand,” now in preparation, gives flic following particulars of his career:—“On the creation of the Provincial Councils under the Constitution Act of 1852, Dr Pollen became a member of the Auckland

Provincial (’ouneii. a set <e,:it mu-id to hold a Seat for very many ye irs. He was first called to the Legislative Council on the 20i.’i July, Is) 1 At. this time all anpointments to the Upper • n imh r were subject to eoolirin:itio:i by llor .M ijcst.y, and the appointi lent was duly made iind o' the Queen’s sign manual, and was aim Mimed i i the London Gazette of April. 18 12. In December, 18)7, Dr Pollen rc-d'.'inul Ins suit, and was rcriU'd in J.um try, iB6B. In 18)1 he was disqualified, but in May, 1873, lie was appointed for tho third time. The lion gentleman has been a Minister of the Crown in no lass than five Ministries. He first joined the Stafford Government in June, 1863, and held office as a member of the Executive Council for over a year. In 1873 he joined the Vogel Ministry as a member of the Executive Council, and shortly afterwards took the portfolio of Colonial Secretary. Two years later the Pollen Administration came into office, and Dr Pollon became Premier andCobmal Treasurer, the dual position being filled by him till February, 1876. In the Vogel Government which succeeded, Dr Pollen continued to hold tho Colonial Secretaryship until the Ist of September in that year, when the Atkinson Ministry came into power. He was then invited to take the same portfolio in the new Administration, and continued Colonial Secretary in that and tho reconstituted Ministry till the resignation of that Government in 1877. He has thus held tho saiuo portfolio during five consecutive Administrations—ft circumstance in itself unique in the annals of Government in Now Zealand. In the reconstituted Atkinson Ministry, Dr Pollen took the duties of Native Minister, which ho performed from December, 1876, to October, 1877 ' rb - I‘™ 1 ‘™

man lias proved himself a skilful administrator in difficult times. A clever writer and speaker, possessed of sound common-sense, bo was ever a safe political adviser. By profession he is a physician and surgeon, but it is many years since ho retired from practice.” He leaves one son, Mr Hugh Pollen. Undersecretary for the Colony, and Dr Pollen and Mr Stuart Pollen, of Wellington, are his nephews. IX THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. On the Public Works Committee of the City Council meeting on Monday, the Mayor referred to the deaths of Sir Patrick Buckley and tho Hon Dr Pollen, pointing out that tho former gentleman was a member of the Council from IS7I to 1873. He proposed that out of respect to tho memory of those distinguished gentlemen the Council should adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councillor Harris and carried. E. AUSTIN. Mr Robert Austin, a well-known settler of Foxton, died on T hursday night. He was in business as a bootmaker in Wellington, and went to Foxton 12 years ago. 1). L.VRXACir. Mr Donald L irnueh, whose death in London at the lipe ago of SO years has been announced, was uncle of Mr W. J. M. Larnach, tho member for Tuapeka. The deceased was one of the founders of the Bank of New South Wales, and became chairman of directors and pre-ident, and when a branch of the institution was opened in London ho became chairman of the London board, and retained that post ii)> to his death. He was one of the leading figures in financial circles in London.

d. Collins. One of Turakina's oldest identities, Mr Daniel Collins, died on Saturday. J. HAGAN. Mr John Hagan, an old and respected settler of Trenthain, Upper Ilutt, died suddenly whilst in tho act of dressing himself on Tuesday morning. Ho was in his usual health when he retired tho previous evening, and got up about .0.39 to go about his usual business, and whilst putting on his clothes expired without uttering a word. An inquest will not be neeossasy, as doatli is supposed to bo due to heart disease. Deceased, who was 75 years of age, loaves a widow and grown-up family. J. HUGHES. Air John Hughes, proprietor of the Empire Hotel, Westport, and an old resident, died last week. Ho was a highlyrespected citizen, and at different time 3 occupied positions in various local bodies, having been Mayor three times, and County Chairman at the time of his death. Ho occupied a seat in the County Council and on the Harbour Board, having been appointed to the latter body on the death of the late Air Nahr. Deceased was well known throughout New Zealand.