OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24300, 4 December 1940, Page 6

OBITUARY

SIR JOHN SINCLAIR (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, December 3. The death has occurred of Sir John Sinclair. Sir John Sinclair was born in 1850 in Anglesea, North Wales, whither his father had gone from Scotland in the early thirties. He received part of his education in Wales, and in the early sixties he accompanied his parents to New Zealand, landing at Port Chalmers. He attended the Caversham school for a few months after his arrival, and then went to the Green Island school, of which he was dux in 1864. Proceeding to the Otago Boys' High School, which was then under the rectorship of the Rev. F..C. Simmons, he was a pupil of it until 1866, and at a later stage completed his studies at the University of Otago. After leaving the High School, he set out to qualify for the legal profession, and with that object in view entered into articles of clerkship with Mr Henry Smythies, solicitor, with whom he remained until the latter ceased practice. He then joined the office of Smith and Anderson, solicitors, in which he became managing common law clerk at the early age of 22. Subsequently he entered into articles of clerkship with Mr James Smith, barrister at law, and, after a little more than two years’ service, decided to go up for his barrister's examination, which he passed in 1875. He then joined the firm of Smith, Anderson and Co. as a partner. The firm was subsequently well known as

Smith. Chapman, and Sinclair, later as Smith, Chapman. Sinclair and White, and still later as Smith, MacGregor and Sinclair. Sir John Sinclair, who was knighted in 1918. remained continuously in active practice until his retirement in September 1906. Sir John's association with public life extended over practically half a century. In the earlier stages of his career his activities were confined to Dunedin, but after his retirement from practice he was induced to extend them to a sphere covering the whole of New Zealand. Sir John became associated with the political life of the country in 1907, when he was first appointed to a seat in the Legislative Council. When his term expired he was not reappointed immediately because of the fact that he was then engaged in serving the country in another very important capacity—that of New Zealand's representative on the Dominions Royal Commission, the activities of which extended from 1912 till 1917. This commission was appointed in April 1912 as the outcome of a resolution adopted at the Imperial Conference in 1911, and its duties were to inquire into the natural resources, trade, and legislation of certain portions of his Majesty's Dominions. Sir John was reappointed to the Legislative Council in 1918 and was a member of it until 1932.

I Sir John Sinclair was for many years a I director of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory I Company, The Otago Daily Times and WitI ness Newspapers Company, and the Trustees. I Executors, and Agency Company. .In 1875 i he married Miss Jessie Christina Chapman. I daughter of Mr Robert Chapman, the first i registrar of the Supreme Court in Dunedin, j and his family consists of two sons and three I daughters. | MR A. C. TOSHACH The death occurred on Monday at West Plains of Mr Andrew Cowper Toshach, aged 60. Mr Toshach, who was well known for his literary work, was the son of one of the oldest pioneers of ] Southland, the late Mr Andrew Toshach, who settled at West Plains in 1860, and who was a member of the Provincial Council of Southland for some time and for 15 years a member of the Southland Land Board. Mr Toshach was associated with the Invercargill Competitions Society, winI ning several prizes for impromptu and ; prepared speeches. He took an active interest in the Presbyterian Church, being an office-bearer in St. Stephen’s Church for 27 years. Mr Toshach was an authority on firearms and had a volume published entitled “The Evolution of Modem Firearms.” He also had poems and essays published, and was the winner of literary competitions. He leaves a widow and a family of five, three sons and two daughters. , mr a. McFarlane The death has occurred of Mr Andrew McFarlane, a well-known and highly-esteemed citizen of Balclutha. In his death a link with the pioneering days of the Clutha, where his parents | were much respected, has been lost. Mr McFarlane was born at Balclutha in 1872 at the same place in which he I died. Mr McFarlane accompanied Sir Thomas McKenzie to Martin’s Bay on one of his exploring expeditions, Sir Thomas being well aware of his qualities for such a journey in those days when southern Westland was still an unexplored wild country. MR JOHN BALL (Received December 3, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 2, The death has occurred of Mr John Ball, the golfer. He was 77 years of age. .Mr Ball, who was born at Hoylake, created a record in amateur golf by winning the British amateur championship on eight occasions—between 1888 and 1912. He won the open championship in 1890 and was the first amateur to do so. From 1902 to 1911 he captained England against Scotland in the international matches. In 1878, when only 15, he competed in the open championship and finished sixth, eight strokes behind the winner.