DEATH OF A BRILLIANT SCHOLAR.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13020, 8 February 1911, Page 6 (Supplement)

DEATH OF A BRILLIANT SCHOLAR.

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Christehurch, Jan 21

General regret was expressed among many besides members of the l«gal profession when it b ,'cami- known that Ernest Ferdinand Gabriel Johnsen, for the past three years managing clerk in thci office of Messrs Smithson and Raymond, Timaru, had passed away at his mothers' residence. in Waiiti Road. Deceased was only 33 years of age at the time of his death, but his health had for some time been in a weak state, and over two months ago caused him to seek a rest from his duties. A son of the late Dr Johansen, he was born in the Nelson district and gained his education at tho Nelson Boys College. Iji 1894 he gained the Junior University Scholarship at the earliest age possible, to secure it, and on going to the Canterbury College to carri- on his studies, he soon became recoirnised as a brilliant scholar. He passed the sevnior university scholarship in political science in 1897, when he graduated in the degree of 8.A., and in the following year he secured tbei M.A. At the same time he pursued his law studies, and subsequently occupied positions in several legal firms, among them Messrs Adams and Harley. of Nelson, Mr T. F. Martin, of Wellington, and Findlay, Dalzeill and Co of Wellington. For a time too hci practised in Motueka, where he was also town clerk. With Mr T. F. Martin, of Wellington, he was associated in the production of a book on conveyancing in New Zealand. His appointment in Timaru as managing clerk for Messrs Smithson and Raymond dated from "1008. Says the Timaru "Herald," his manner was at all times a courteous one, and on account of his excellent parts as a scholar and a man of wide general knowledge his companionship was always entertaining and pleasant.