SIR ROBERT STOUT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3655, 1 April 1924, Page 5

SIR ROBERT STOUT.

60 YEARS IN NEW ZEALAND. Tfion Ocr Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 27. “Lovers of freedom, that’s what the Norse were, and they are that to-day. The Norwegians are the freest people in Europe.” In these words New Zealand’s veteran Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) summed up his ancestors in a special interview accorded your correspondent to-day. Almost 60 years ago, Robert Stout, a young Shetlander of 19, who was already a surveyor and a schoolmaster, first sighted “The Long White Cloud” of New Zealand, the land of his adoption, which has given him almost every office of distinction from Prime Minister to Chief Justice. “Yes, there have been many changes since I first landed at Bluff from the Lady Milton on the 3rd day of April, 1864 —almost 60 years ago,” he remarked. “The changes are so enormous that they are almoist beyond conception.” The story of the young Shetlander, destined to hold the highest legal office in New Zealand has to bestow, after guiding the tempestuous political ship of State as Premier and serving as a Minister of State in the Cabinet of Sir George Grey, reads almost like a romance. The Dunedin Heads were reached on the evening of April 7, 1864. Tlie young “dominie” then made his way to Port Chalmers, and within a few days he was given employment as master at the Grammar School. “Mathematics were my special charge,” he continued. “I remember the weather was wet, as the footpaths were just being formed. Dunedin was more like a quagmire. Many of the people were living in tents. What houses there were’ were small and were built of wood. The-Scottish city of the south was a hive of activity. Gold came down by coach from the diggings, as much as 2000 oz and more on a single trip.” What impressed the Shetlander was the spirit of optimism abroad. The people were cheerful and happy, with a great belief in the future of their country. It was 10 years before Sir Robert Stout saw Wellington, although he had travelled throughout the South Island. It had immensely changed, he declared. The reclamation work had been most extensive.

He landed from a boat where one of the principal hotels now stands. It was not until 1879 that he visited Auckland, but long before that the inclination of the future Prime Minister had turned in the direction of law. Towards the end of 1867 he gave up his post at the North Dunedin School.

In July, 1871, he was admitted as a barrister by Mr Justice Chapman, father of Sir Frederick Chapman, the judge also acting as examiner. His attention, however, had been manifested in the maelstrom of politics. The following year Sir Robert Stout entered the Provincial Council, and some time later was appointed Provincial Solicitor, and that office was held until the Councils were abolished In 1876. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1875, and within three years he achieved the Attorney-Generalship in the Ministry of Sir George Grey. From 1884 to 1887 he headed the famous StoutVogel Cabinet. Sir Robert Stout gained his knighthood in 1886. In 1889 the late Mr Seddon offered the Chief Justiceship to SJr Robert Stout and he accepted it. He had resigned his Wellington seat the previous year, and ever since with distinction and ability ho has retained the office. The year 1921 saw Sir Robert Stout a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. No member of the 1875 Parliament in whioh he first sat is now living. The Chief Justlae is also the oldest member of the Executive Council. Sir George Grey, Sir Harry Atkinson, Mr John Ballance, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Sir William HallJones, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, and Sir Joseph Ward, names, to conjure with in the past, have all played their part on the political stage during Sir Robert Stout’s long association with public affairs in New Zealand. Governors have come and gone, and on more than one occasion Sir Robert has acted in that capacity. Yet still in his eightieth year he presides over the Supreme Court.

After an absence of 46 years the Chief Justice visited his native place in the Shetlands. and again in 1921 when he took his seat with the Privy Council. When he was appointed to the Bench in 1899 his colleagues were Sir Joshua Williams, Mr Justice Dermiston, Sir Basset Edwards, and Mr Justice Connelly. Of these only Sir Robert Stout and Sir Basset Edwards remain. The latter has retired, of course, from the judiciary. Sir Robert Stout is also the oldest K.C.M.G. in the Empire. The only other survivor of the voyage of the Lady Milton 60 years ago is the Hon. D. T. Fleming, M.L.C., who was then a child.

When asked if it were not his intention to place on record his autobiography, the Chief Justice smilingly replied, “I am too busy yet.”