Pen and Ink Portraits.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 9, 13 November 1880, Page 73

Pen and Ink Portraits.

No. B.— Thomas Russell, C.M.G.

THERE is a story told of a famous judge who Avas almost as great a gourmand as Apicius, the ancient " roiie " who spent £800,000 on his Mtchen, and hanged himself because he was on the verge of "cuisine" bankruptcy when his fortune was reduced t> £80,000. The great judge had a wonderfully skilful female cook, who knew how to tickle 'lite appetite as no other •could. But one day this inestimable, domestic ■"gave warning." Whether it was that the judge .had been growing # fastidious and c nsorious, or that the woman, with the common tyranny of co jks was determined to assert her power, history is silent, but the judge was thunderstruck. He offered increased salary ■and munificent perquisites, unrestricted " evenings out " and unlimited liberty to entertain "followers," but the cook wai obdurate. In despair he proposed marriage and was accepted. JBut, alas for the vanity of human wishes ! The lady gave herself airs, aped the manners of the aristocracy, refused to enter the kitchen, was mortally oii'ended 'at the remotest reference in her presence to any culinary utensil, and the poor judge lost his appetite, pined away, and died. Of course, all this has nothing to do with the subject of this memoir. But 1 am told that some references in a recent biographical notice gave dire offence in at least one high and mighty quarter. The reference was to a certain New Zealand nabob, who laid the foundation of his present fortune by selling rum and tobacco. to whalers at Kororareka. I an> sincerely sorry, but I cannot cry. My object is not to give offence In all these biographies I have had to suppress many facts of a private or domestic character, the early peccadiloes and follies of great men, the " skeletons in the cupboard " of various families that are known to me, the things of the past which are best buried in oblivion, which point no moral and adorn no talc. lam not a mudraker in the gutter of history. My business is to show how many of our most eminent colonists have risen by their own exertions, to show how frugality, industry and perseverance will raise a man to the topmost rung of the social ladder, like Garfield, the newly-elected Pre-ident of the United States, the mightiest republic in the world. I wish to give incidents in the lives of such men as examples to the present generation of colonists, and as a protest against those delusive expectations with which some people nowadays are hasting to become rich. There is nothing of which a sensible man or woman ought to be ashamed in the fact that he or she has acquired wealth and position by industry and economy. They are rather things of which they ought to be proud. In the early days of Kororareka when Ben Turner was Dictator, when men were tiled by a Vigilance Committee, and when convicted of offences against the well-being of the community were tarred and feathered, put into a canoe, and ordered to emigrate forthwith, on pain of worse treatment, there arrived at the Bay of Islands from Sydney a carpenter, named Thomas Russell, with a large family of sons and daughters. Amongst the former were Thomas itus3ell, now in London, J. B. Russell, James Russell and another who is now in the Middle Island, all lawyers. Tom Russell, sen., like the father of Johnny Sheehan, plied his handicraft at the little settlement of Korararcka in building houses and making the rude furniture with which people were content in those -days of Arcadian simplicity In course of time. when the seat of Government was removed to Auckland, the Russell family removed to the capital. Tom Russell, junr., was then a mere laa, but he had already began to display that thrift, industry, and energy which characterised him in after years. He became articled clerk to Mr. Outhwaite, formerly -Reg'strur of the Supreme Court, but then practising vi ilie bar, young Russell joined the Wesley an congregation under the Rev. Mr. Lamie, and was regarded as one of the most regular and earnest attendants of the ilock. He became an active Sunday school teacher, and interested himself in various ways in advancing the interests of Ms church, his modest piety, studious application, and unflagging industry Avon the aduriratioft" and esteem of his superiors, who assisted hini in every way to rise in his profession. From time to time portions of the accumulated funds of the church were lent to him for investment, and he managed with such prudence and care that he s'ioii amassed a considerable sum of money, which not only improved his own position, but enabled him to lend a helping hand to his brothers. An example of his extraordinary thrift is related by one who knew Mm well in his early days. When the Californian rush took place there was a great scarcity of onions in San Francisco. In Auckland they were a mere drug in the market. Tom Russell bought all he could obtain, utilised his leisure time in the evenings in making boxes in which he shipped the onions to San Francisco, where they sold at enn-mously high prices.

Having passed his examination, Mr. Russell began to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. He was not, however, very successful as a pleader. His talents were not framed to bhine in oratorical displays at the forum. His forte was more in conveyancing and in consultation. Ultimately he entered into partnership with Mr. Whitaker, the present Attorney-General, one of the best pleaders in New Zealand, and as the firm conlined within itself nil the requisite qualities for success in all departments of legal business, it .soon became the leading one of the colony, and was entrusted Avith enormous interests. Nature, however, never designed Mr. Rns>ell for a lawyer. He is of the stuff of which the founders of great commercial enterprises are made. He was too speculative, enterprising, and enei-getic for the sedentary life of a barrister, though even in that avocation he displayed rare tact, ability, and shrewdness. As Ms affairs prospered he rapidly acquired an influential position in the community, and was foremost in every enterprise. He was one of the promoters of the Bank of New Zealand, an institution in whose welfare he has never ceased to take a deep interest, and the wonderful success of which is in a great measure due to

in the Fox Ministry, an<l on the 2nd July, 1863, he became Defence Minister, holding both offices until the 20th October, 1563. He held the same positions in the succeeding WhitakerFox Ministry until the 24th November, 18G4, and during the progress of the war in Waikato. There is a good story told of Mr. Itus-ell during that time. He was proceeding to Waikato on business connected with his department, one of his fellow travellers being a young lieutenant of militia, just landed fr-aii Victoria with a detachment of Major Pitt's men. The lieutenant, in his newly-riedged military knowledge was holding forth on the conduct of the war, and severely criticising his superiors. " it," he remarked to Mr. *• usscll, "how can you expect to conduct a Avar properly when your Defence Minister is a pettifogging lawyer?" Mi\ Russell quietly replied. "I would have ymi to know that I am the Defence Minister, sir," whereupon the military iledgling remarked with evident alarm, "Heavens ! then I'm in for it," and for the rest of the journey subsided into silence. Mr. Russell, however, showed no annoyance at the youngster's remarks, and in after years was wont to relate the story for the amusement of his friends. After the war he was actively employed in presiding over the affairs of the Bank of i\ew Zealand, and in averting the commercial crisis which was threatened by the sudden collapse and the cessation of the large Imperial expenditure. It was due in a great measure to his skill and prudence that the crisis was safely tided over. The discovery of the Thames Goldfields was a new element of prosperity, and gave a new impetus to trade and enterprise. Mr. Russell invested largely in mining speculations, and realised enormous profits. Afterwards he paid a visit to England, was instrumental in establishing the existing mail service via San Francisco, and in directing emigration aud capital to New Zealand. He returned to the colony for a few months, and again returned to London, chiefly to superintend

his. prudent and fostering efforts. Th^ idea of establishing the bank ' originated with Mr. James Williamson, now President of the Board of Directors, Mr. Russeil, Thomas Henderson, Dr. Campbell, and one or tw> others. At that time the leading branch bank in Auckland had incurred much unpopularity by the severe restrictions it imposed on customers, and though the time was ripe for launching a rival institution, the step was regarded as b >ld, if not fraught with considerable risk, with the means at command. But energy, prudent management, and the hearty co-operation of the directors, s ion laid the foundation of that remarkable prosperity which it has since enjoyed. Mr. Russell and the other directors personally canvassed f<<r shareholders, and all classes entered into the investment, working men and small tradesmen taking a few shares in order to release the community from the irksome exactions of foreign cap'talists. The establishment of the Bank of New Zealand gave an impetus to the local industries and commerce which had a most beneficial effect on the progress of Auckland, and as by degrees its operations were extended throughout the colony, it developed many enterprises, and from ts superior local knowledge and the hearty interest shewn by the directors, it had a great influence in fostering the trade and commerce of New Zealand. In periods of crisis such as that which fallowed the Waikato war of 1863-4 it came to the rescue of languishina: industries, and averted much c 'inmorcial disaster and buffering It speedily absorbed the Bank of Auckland, an institution which had made advances beyond its res urccs, and was compelled to wind up, but which ultimately liquidated all it* liabilities. On the 6th ugust, 1562, Mr. Russell was appointed a member of the Executive Council

the education of Irs children, and to watch over the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand, and other interests. As the special agent of the bank in London he has materially extended its operations, and has done considerable service in bringing the resources' of the colony under the notice of capitalists. For this he was voted a large sum of money by the directors By his financial skill a->d enterprise he has been very successful on the Stock r xchauge. When the -fleet was. ordered to Bessica Bay, there wers apprehensions of a war with Kussia, and Consols declined considerably. Sa- James Ferguson had, however, received private information from his friends in the Cabinet that pacific assurances had been received from Kussia, and that Avar would be averted. Possessed of that knowledge, Sir James Fergussnn and Mr. hussell bought up great quantities of Console, which speedily recovered when llussia'd peaceful intentions became publicly known, and the speculators reaped a handsome profit. Mr. lUissell lives in considerable style in London, and is an acknowledged authority in colonial affairs. His interest in Auckland is vigilant and unceasing. He has made valuable donations to our museum and to other institutions, and has fr> ely assisted his old friends by advancing capital for their business. He gave £1000 to the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. In his domestic relations, Mr. ltusscll's conduct has been in every wav praiseworthy. On the death nf his father he was the mainstay of the family, and he worked indefatigably to secure the advancement and worldly pr. .sperity of his relatives. His present position is a striking example of what may be accomplished by energy, enterprise, and prudence. He is still comparatively in the prime of life, and has before him the pro-pect of a long career of .influence and usefulness.