DEATH OCCURS OF SIR JOHN FINDLAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 9

DEATH OCCURS OF SIR JOHN FINDLAY.

HELD PORTFOLIOS IN LIBERAL CABINETS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 9. Private advice was received in Wellington to-day of the death in Eng land of Sir John Findlay, a former Minister of Justice under Sir Joseph Ward. Sir John Findlay was a prominent politician and member of the New Zealand Bar. He was an eloquent pleader in the courts, and was engaged as counsel in many very important cases. He was a forcible speaker on the public platform and was the author of several literary works, including “Humbugs and Homilies,” “The Imperial Conference of 1911 from Within.” and works on social, economic and political subjects, characterised by much erudition. As Minister for Justice he took particular interest in the question of prison reform. He was a K.C., and was created Knight Commander of St Michael and St George Sir John was born at Dunedin in 1862, and was educated at the Otago University, obtaining his LL.B. in 18S6 and LL.D. in 1893. He was admitted to the Bar in 1887, and commenced practice in partnership with Mr F. G. Dalziell in Palmerston South. He was appointed lecturer in political scierce at Otago University in 1894. Removing to Wellington, he entered into partnership with Sir Robert Stout. When Sir Robert was appointed Chief Justie Sir John Findlay again took Mr Dalziell into partnership, and also Mr D. M. Findlay. On the death of the Hon A. Pitt, Sir John accepted the portfolios of Attorney-General and Colonial Secretary in Sir Joseph War 4 ’s Government. From 1906 to 1911 he was leader of the Legislative Council. In 1911, with Sir Joseph Ward, he represented New Zealand at the Imperial Conference. From 1917 to 1919 he represented Hawke’s Bay in the House of Representatives. He was the founder and first president of the Wellington Shakespeare Society, a governor of the London School of Economics, and a member ol the Victoria College committee of publications. He was interested in motoring, golf, fishing and alpine climbing. He had been in bad health lor a long time. Captain J. L. Findlay, of the Wigram Aerodrome, who is now in England, is a son of Sir John Findlay.