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Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 11

SIR WILLIAM MARTIN.

fIR WILLIAM MARTIN, the first Chief Justice of New Zealand, was born at Birmingham in 1807. He was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, and graduated in 1829, and was also wrangler and Chancellor's medallist. He was called to the bar in 1836, but his health being delicate, he accepted the offer of the Chief Justiceship of New Zealand, and arrived at Auckland in the Tyne in September, 1841 — the late Mr. Swainson, formerly Attorney-General, being a fellow passenger. The duties of his position were discharged with eminent wisdom, firmness, and painstaking zeal. Aided by Mr. Swainson, he framed the first legislative requirements of the young colony. He was an ardent friend and supporter of the Maoris, and championed their cause, chiefly during the last Native war, in several pamphlets, now but little known. These involved him in disputes with the Government of the day. He wrote in the Native language an excellent compendium of English law as relating to the well-being and orderly behaviour of British subjects, and this was widely distributed amongst the Natives. Lady Martin ably seconded her husband in his efforts to advance and ameliorate the condition of the Native race. Indeed, the two were ever ready to promote and assist in any religious or philanthropic work. A warm and consistent churchman, Sir Wm. Martin lent valuable assistance to Bishop Selwyn whilst drawing up the regulations which form the Church constitution in the colony, and during the subsequent sessions of Synod he was one of the most conspicuous and valuable members. He retired from the bench in 1858, after seventeen years of arduous labour, and was succeeded as ChieJ" Justice by the late Sir George Arney. He was knighted in 1 860, and received the honorary degree of D.C.L. during a visit to the Home country. In 1874 lie finally departed from New Zealand, and resided at Torquay, where he died in November, 1880, in

his seventy-fourth year. Sir William Martin was one of New Zealand's most illustrious colonists. He was a man of lofty character and great learning, and was well known as a classical scholar and philanthropist. A year or two before his death he published a work on the structure of the Semitic languages. Lady .Martin also wrote a pleasant little book, " Our Maoris,'' which gives many interesting glimpses of life in the very early days.