Walter Scott Reid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Scott Reid
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Reid in c. 1880
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| Solicitor-General of New Zealand | |
| In office 1 April 1875 – 1900 |
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| Preceded by | inaugural office holder |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Fitchett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 October 1839 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 31 January 1920 (aged 80) Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Spouses |
Mary Jane Hume
(m. 1865; died 1875)Emma Halse
(m. 1895–1920) |
| Profession | Barrister |
Walter Scott Reid (born 25 October 1839 – died 31 January 1920) was an important legal figure in New Zealand. He was the country's first Solicitor-General who was not a politician. He also became the first elected president of the New Zealand Law Society, an organization for lawyers.
Contents
Walter Reid's Early Life
Walter Scott Reid was born in 1839 in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Captain James Reid, was an army officer. In the early 1840s, his father's job took the family to Victoria (Australia). Some of Walter's brothers and sisters were born there.
In 1852, Captain Reid was moved to Launceston, Tasmania. Walter finished his schooling in Tasmania. He then started working for a law firm. In 1862, he officially became a barrister and solicitor. This meant he was qualified to argue cases in court and give legal advice.
His Career in New Zealand
Starting His Legal Work
By June 1864, Walter Reid was working in Invercargill, New Zealand. He was a clerk for a lawyer named Charles Button. Button had also trained in Launceston, just like Reid.
In July 1865, Reid began working as a solicitor in Wellington. He partnered with Button and another lawyer, Patrick Buckley. Their office was on Manner Street. This partnership ended later that year. After that, he opened his own office.
At the start of 1866, Reid was made Registrar of Deeds in Invercargill. This job involved keeping official records of property ownership. By August 1866, he was leaving the Southland area for good. In October 1866, he moved to Hokitika and started a new law partnership.
Community and Public Roles
Walter Reid was very active in his community. He was elected to the Board of Education and became its chairman by 1868. In June 1869, he was elected to the Permanent Hospital Committee. He also became Vice-President of the Literary Society in 1870.
In December 1870, Reid ran for election in the County of Westland. He was one of four candidates for two positions. Reid received the most votes and was elected.
Becoming Solicitor-General
In April 1871, Reid accepted a new job in Wellington. He became the government's first law officer there. He resigned from the County of Westland on 27 April 1871. He arrived in Wellington on 8 May.
On 1 April 1875, Walter Reid was promoted to Solicitor-General. This was a very important role. The Solicitor-General is a senior legal advisor to the government. Before Reid, this role was usually held by a politician. But Reid was the first person to hold it as a non-political job. He kept this job until 1900.
For some of this time, there was no Attorney-General. This meant Walter Reid was the most senior legal officer for the government. One of his first big tasks was to help write a law called the Abolition of Provinces Act 1875. This law changed how New Zealand was governed. It helped show that Reid was an expert in constitutional law.
Walter Reid's Family Life
Walter Reid married Mary Jane Hume in Launceston on 1 June 1865. Sadly, Mary Jane passed away on 7 October 1875, when she was 30 years old. They had one daughter named Minnie Ethel Reid. Minnie married William Richard Symons in March 1893.
Walter Reid married again on 16 February 1895. His second wife was Emma Halse. Walter and Emma both passed away in 1920 at their home in Wellington. Walter died on 31 January, and Emma died on 21 August. Walter, Mary Jane, and Emma are all buried at Bolton Street Memorial Park.
