MR. R. C. HUGHES’ DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1935, Page 7

MR. R. C. HUGHES’ DEATH

RECORD OF CITIZENSHIP

PUKEKURA PARK ASSOCIATION.

oldest solicitor in dominion.

MAN OF VARIED INTERESTS.

Mr. Robert Clinton Hughes, a Taranaki pioneer, and the oldest practising solicitor in New Zealand, died yesterday morning at his home in Vivian Street, New Plymouth, at the age of 87 years. He had been in poor health for some time, and his condition during the past two weeks had caused anxiety.. For his energetic and unselfish work in improving tire scenic beauty.of New Plymouth, Mr. Hughes was well-known. He saw Pukekura Park develop from an uncultured swamp into a magnificent reserve, and took a continuous and active part in its control, being a foundation member of the board. In 1875, as a member of the Taranaki Provincial Council, he moved that sections remaining unsold should be set aside for a botanical gardens. He was a foundation member of the park board and had sat on it since its inception. The valley was originally used for target practice, the meh leaning on mounds to shoot at targets near the Poet’s bridge. With Mr. Carrington, the surveyor, Mr. Hughes marked out . the . original entrance leading from Victoria Street, and with other enthusiastic citizens he gave many huurs of voluntary work to the actual manual part of improving the grounds. It was the aim of Mr. Hughes to preserve in Pukekura Park the bush that makes it unique. . He himself planted several trees an the reserve, one of them, a giant pinus radiata, towering 120 feet above him when, 58 years later, he planted a young kauri within its shade. His father gave iron gates that are now hung at the main entrance. His association with the park covered over 60 years. He remembered the first tree being planted on the brow of a hill overlooking the sportsground, near Ffllis Street. .It was removed later when the hi.U was levelled to fill m a swamp, and another tree was planted on the edge of the lake. BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY WORK ; Mr. Hughes formed the New Plymouth Beautifying Society, whose chief work was the improvement and care of Baines Terrace. Later its scope was extended to include work at Fort Niger and along the waterfront between Eliot Street ana East End. Even when he was over 80 years of age Mr. Hughes could often be seen working at Baines Terrace. He was one of the leaders in the defence of the landmark Paritutu when it was in danger of destruction a source of rock for the breakwater. • Bom at Auckland in 1847, seven years after New-Zealand became a colony of the British Government, Mr. Hughes came, early in his life to New Plymouth, being articled to a solicitor, Mr. W. Haise. He was admitted to the bar in 1870 and as soon as he was qualified he set up on his own account. He has practised .at New Plymouth ever since. It is recalled that in the early days he used to ride on horseback as far as Patea to attend court sittings. In 1900 he married Miss Amy G. Burton, daughter of Mr. Thomas Burton, Dunedin. He was the last surviving member of the old Taranaki Provincial Council and had sat on the New Plymouth Borough Council. • . He travelled extensively in England and Germany and on the Continent, and was a fluent linguist, speaking German, French and Maori. Mr- Hughes’ father, Mr. Robert Hughes, was bom in Shropshire and came to Australia and New Zealand as a member of the militia. Mr. Hughes himself served for seven years in. the Taranaki Rifles. When a young man he was a great distance swimmer, probably the best in Taranaki. In those days there was no port at New Plymouth, and the boats hove to opposite the site of the present railway station. When it was rough they were unable to come in, and Mr. Hughes and * companion would swim out for the mailsAnother anecdote of hjs prowess as a swimmer is how he often swam under water W fbe lake at Pukekura Park from the landing stage to the Poet’s bridge. Mr. Hughes was an enthusiastic dancer and an expert boxer. He was also fond of climbing, making several ascents of Mount Egmont. Once when h® was challenged by a companion he climbed Paritutu rock on the dangerous sea side. A man of varied interests and unbounded energy, Mr. Hughes was notable ter the breadth of his sympathy and the generosity with which he expressed it in practice. As president and honorary solicitor of the Royal Social for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals at New Plymouth for many years he showed his love for animals and his interest in their welfare. The traditions, customs and mythology of the Maori race also appealed to him strongly. Te knew all the old pas and fighting grounds and their historic associations and followed with keen- interest the development of the race. In his youth he often stayed whole days at the pas learning the language and making friends among the natives. For his sense of humour which made little -of misfortune, for his wit and his acuteness of mind Mr. Hughes was remarkable. He was interested in art and was an avid reader, delighting particularly in poetry which he was able to quote accurately even a few days before his death. He had an unusually retentive memory unaffected by his age. Mr. Hughes leaves a wife and two sisters-in-law, Mrs. R. H. Huges, New Plymouth and Mrs. M. Hughes, Auckland. His nephews, Mr. A. W. Hughes (Tauranga) and Mr. L. C. Hughes (New Plymouth) a partner in the firm.