MR EDWARD STAFFORD

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9175, 15 October 1915, Page 3

MR EDWARD STAFFORD

Mr Edward Stafford, a very -wellknown member of tho legal fraternity, passed away yesterday morning. His father and mother arrived in Now Zealand on January 22nd, 1&10, in tho Aurora—one of the five ships dispatched by the New Zealand Company from England—and Mr Stafford was born at Wellington .in 1844. After his school) days he had some experience at farming- lie was articled to tho late Hon. E. Hart, with whom ' he remained as chief clerk for some time. Ho qualified in 1870, entered the Crown Law Office, and in the capacity of AssistantCrown Law Officer drafted a considerable number of the measures which are now on the statute-book. He was the first Taminer of Titles in Wellington under the Law Transfer Act, and acted as Deputy Commissioner of Stamps. Deceased entered some time afterwards into business with Mr (later Sir Patrick) Buckley. Subsequently there entered the firm Mr William Barton, and. on his retirement, Mr H. S. Fitzherbert, and, on the latter's retirement, Mr C. H. Treadwell. On Sir Patrick Buckley being elevated to the Supremo Court Bench, Mr W. H. Field entered the firm, but left some time ,later to form a private practice. Mr Treadwell retired too, and during the last, two years the firm carried' on business under the title of StaSord and Stafford, Hie junior partner being Mr Sidney l Stafford. The late Mr Stafford ma'dd only one ■ attempt* to enter Parliament, when he was defeated by the Hon. C. J. Johnston. He was a prominent member of the City Council from 1879 to 1832, and was concerned in the bringing into operation of the Wainui waten scheme. He was the eldest practitioner at the Bar in Wellington, if not in; New Zealand, and had occupied tho position of president of the Law Society and a member of the Council of Law Reporting. Mr Stafford left a widow arid three children—Mi- Sidney) Stafford and the Misses F- and E. Staf-; ford —and three grandchildren. The funeral will take place this morning at 9 o'clock in the Bolton street cemetery. At the meeting of the City Council last night the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) made feeling reference to the death of ex-Councillor Stafford. Tho deceased gentleman, he said, not only possessed legal ability in a very marked degree, but he took a great interest in the life of tb.D city of Wellington, particularly on the side of music. In the early seventies of the last century he was a considerable figure in connection with the affairs of the city. He had served on the City Council from 1879 to IRS2, when it was composed of what were known as the best minds of the city, and he had occupied a very honourable position among them. On the motion of tho Mayor the council passed, upstanding, a vote of condolence and sympathy with Mrs Stafford and family in their sorrow.