OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2481, 21 April 1909, Page 5

OBITUARY.

Ukitejd Press Association —Copyright

MR. WILLIAM .SIEVWRIGHT

Quite a gloom was cast over the town yesterday when the news became know n that M*. tyilliam Sieviwright, barrister and solicitor, had passed away. The deceased gentleman was about 72 years of age, and was horn in Lerwick, the county town of Shetland. He was taken suddenly ill about- fourteen days ago, and it was not until Sunday week last that medical aid was called in. It was at one© apparent that his illness, a complication of long-standing complaints, would be his last, and he passed peacefully away shortly after three o’clock yesterday afternoon, at his residence, “ : Hjaltlands,” Whataupoko. Mr. Sievwright had been a widower since 1905, and leaves three daughters, one of whom is married and resides in Scotland, while a maiden sister has resided with him for some years. The late Mr. Sievwright was a man of strong character, marked individuality, sanguine temperament, and great integrity. So sanguine was he that lie never seemed to realise that he was getting on in years, and was about town, following his profession and attending to Iris public duties up to the day he was compelled to take to his bed. He was a- man of generous disposition, prepared always to think the best of everyone; yet strong to defend principles when once convinced they were right, and the strength of bis convictions won him many friends. He had not an enemy. He was, since coming to the Dominion, a personal friend of the late Hon. John Ballauce, and always retained his entire confidence. Ho was also a close fricud of Sir Robert Stout, with whom ho was at one time in partnership, and only a few months ago the two old friends were to be seen walking on the Whataupoko hills, and chatting over old times. Mr. Sievwright always took a keen and active interest in all 'social and ethical questions, and in such was greatly influenced by the high character of his late wife, whose work in the cause ol humanity has been recognised throughout New Zealand. Questions that were foremost in the lives of these two people were temperance reform, tho granting of the franchise to women, the relief of distress, and the proper organisation of charitable distribution. Mr. Sievwright tonic a keen interest in co-operation, and it was chiefly through his efforts that the Poverty Bay Co-operative Supply stores were started. He was a strong and consistent supporter of a StaieHßank, and an authority on financial questions. He had written largely upon the subject in the “•Lyttelton Times’ 3 and other leading papers, and his opinions always carried weight. His advocacy of a State currency was along the lines of the scheme proposed bv the late James Mac.andrew. of Otago, and under, bis plan the issue of State notes was to be managed by -a purely non-politi-cally constituted board, currency to be issued on operative accounts against specific security of lands or chattels pledged, and interest to be charged on tho daily debit balance of each account, tlio ip teres* not to exceed -1 per cent. Mr- Sievwright was singularly free from ambition, and though ho was a deep thinker and a man. of practical ideas, never sought self-advancement, but was always alive to the interests of his friends. Ho was a warm friend of the Maori, race, and while ho resided in Wellington interested himself in the difficulties of the Natives who owed allegiance to Major Kemp, and his work for the Natives concerned was not without. success. Mr. Sievwright was admitted to practice as a solicitor in Scotland in 1863, when the joined his father as a partner in an old-established solicitous business in his native town, and continued to practice there under the title of W and W. Sievwright. In 1877 he left Scotland for New Zealand on the invitation of Messrs Sievwright and Stout, solicitors, Dunedin. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of tlu> Supreme Court of New Zealand m 1878, and joined the firm of Sievwright and ’.Stout in their Wellington office. He practised in Wellington until JB.A. when, at tho invitation of Mr. C. A. deLautour, he caino to Gisborne and entered into a partnership with him, which lasted for many years. Mr Ssevwright was, at the time of his death, solicitor in Gisborne ior tho 1 u me Trustee ami tlio Advances to Settlers Department. In 188-1 -tho deceased was appointed to represent tho Government on the Gisborno Harbor Board, and as each term of office- expired was re-ap-pointed, thus holding the confidence of the .Government for 25 years. As a

member of the Harbor Board he was a consistent suporber of a navigable inner harbor, as. defined by Mr. Thompson, the engineer under whose direction the breakwater was extended. H carefully, weighed every proposal under discussion, and his opinions invariably met with the respect of the other members.

Mr. Sievwright bought “Hjaltlands,” Whataupoko. about 22 years ago. He greatly beautified the place, and took a keen interest in fruit growing. Someacres -were planted with apples, pears, and peaches, and many a large basket of choice fruit was sent to friends each, season. The funeral will take place at 2 p.m. to-morrow to tho Alakaraka cemetery.