OBITUARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 January 1927, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR. W. E. KINNERNEY. Tlie people of Timaru and South Canter b try as welt as others much further afield, will learn with regret of the death on Saturday last, of Mr W. E. Kinnerney, who for fifty years had been a conspicuous figure in legal circles here. His death occurred in tho early hours of Saturday morning after a comparatively short illness. The late Mr Kiunerney was born at Wexford, Ireland, in 1854, and came to .New Zealand with his parents when he was only eight years of age. His parents settled in New Plymouth, where their son was educated in a private school. On the completion of iiis education, the late Mr Kinnerney went into a law office in Auckland, where lie remained for some time, after which ho came to Tilmaru and accepted a position as managing-clerk to the firm of Perry and Perry, solicitors. Mr Kiimeriicy had a distinguished University career, and in Inis law examination of 1884 he tied in the honours list with the present Chief Justice, (Sir C. P. Skorrctt). In 1891 he was admitted to partnership in the firm of Perry and Perry, which then became known as Perry, Perry, and Knmerney. On the death of Mr Cecil Perry, in 1917 (the other member of the firm, Mr Arthur Pony, iiad died some years previously), the late Mr Kinnerney took M.r L. li. Pinch into partnership.. Mr Kinnerney -retired from active work from the" firm last year, and has since lived in retirement at his home in Wai-iti road. Tho fate Mr Kinnerney was a recognised authority on Municipal, Harbour Hoard ami Banking Jaw, and was a most able pleader in banco. He .possessed a judicial mind, of a quality which promised to have attained for him a, very high place in the ranks of tho Judiciary or this country, had his ambitions been in that direction. His opinion on any fine legal point was always valued, and throughout New Zealand he was a man for whom tho legal profession, as well as all others who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, had the greatest respect. His high professional reputation and marked integrity ensured this. His linn have always acted as legal advisers to tho Timaru Porough Council, tho J.imaiu Harbour Board, and the South Canterbury Hospital Board, and it also acted for the South Canterbury Education Board as long as that body existed here. .In addition to these, banks and private companies and others availed- thomsoives of iiis firm’s legal assistance. , I'll- Kiimcrncy’s wife died over twenty years ago, and lie is survived by their oulv cluiid, bliss M. Kinnerney . Tho funeral, which was of a private nature, took place- yesterday alteinoon, tho remains being interred m Timaru cemetery.