The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-01-18
MIR. JUSTICE PRESTON.
Passes Quietly Away to His Long Rest
at His Residence, King Street.

Passes Quietly Away to His Long Rest
at His Residence, King Street.
We are panied 10 announce the death
OF the Honorable Edward Preston, Second
Associate Justice OF the Supreme Court,
which took place yesterday afternoon at
quarter before 2 O'Clock at his resi-
dence, King street. He was presiding
at the present term OF the Supreme
Court, sitting there up to Friday OF last
week, when he found himself SO disabled
by pain from an attack OF his old enemy,
govt, that he remained at home on Sat-
urday. But this, duplicated with other
ailments confined him TO his bed till his
departure from this life at the time stated
above.
The late Justice Preston was born in
London, England, February II, 1881.
At an early age he pursued legal studies.
In 1852 he went to Melbourne, Australia,
during the height OF the excitement of
the discovery of gold. He afterwards
went to New Zealand where he engaged
in the practice of law at Christchurch.
In 1870 he came to the islands with his
wife, whom lie had married in 1852.
Soon after his arrival he entered the
office of the present Chief Justice of the
Kingdom, and was obliged to wait for his
papers which he had left in New Zea-
land. During this time he prepared
digest of the Criminal Code. After re-
ceiving his papers he was admitted upon
certificate, to the Hawaiian bar. This
was upon April 5, 1871, and for some
years he engaged in legal practice. His
ability as a counsel thoroughly edu-
Gated in the English common law, in
pleading and conveyancing, was soon
recognized by the bench and bar. In
1879 he entered the office OF the Attorney
General, Richard II. Stanley, On July
8, 1878, he succeeded Mr.. Hartwell as
Attorney General of the Kingdom,
holding office until August l4th,
1880, when the Moreno Ministry
went in He again took the office o.
Attorney General on May 10, 1882, but
resigned May IA, 1888, stating that he
could not hold the Office any longer for
public reasons. On the 9TH OF July,
1855, he was appointed Second Asso-
ciate Justice of the Supreme Court, sue
ceedirg the late Mr.. Justice Austin.
This office he has held with the highest
respect of his associates OF the bar, and
of the public. The deceased was
member of His Majesty's Privy Council
OF State, and also Of the Selden Society.
He was a grand officer of the Royal
Order of the Crown Of Hawaii, and
grand officer of the Royal Order of ka-
piolani. Judge Preston was man hab-
itually reticent about himself, and, the
above imperfect sketch is all that we are
able to present.
Mr. Justice McCully was presiding at
the term when the sad news was brought
to him by Interpreter Wilcox at six
minutes before 2 o'clock. His Honor
was SO overcome with emotion that it
was some moments before he could
speak. He finally told the jury and the
counsel of the message received land said
they would no doubt sympathize with
him in his grief, las he felt the death of his
associate very much. The trial would
have to be suspended. His Honor in
structed Marshal SOper to tender his
services in the conduct of the funeral,
after which the Court was adjourned to
10 o'clock Monday morning. Mr.. JUS
tice Bickerton was hearing case in
chambers when the news came, and at
once adjourned Court.
The funeral will take place this after
noon at o'clock from st. Andrews
Cattle dral, the Rev. Alexander Mackin-
tosh officiating. The special Psalm and
a hymn will be sung by the choir of the
second congregation. The pail bearers
will be Messrs. A. S. Hartwell, +. nj.
Hatch, w. o. Smith, Cecil Brown, F. A.
Schaefer, J. o. Carter, Henry Smith and
David DAYTON,