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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 29, No. 7. 1966.

Thurbage — A Column Of Freelance Comment — Obituary

page 12

Thurbage
A Column Of Freelance Comment

Obituary

The Sudden Death of Sir John McGrath on June 17 marked the passing of an era in New Zealand public life. Sir John, a sprightly fellow even in his declining years, still sporting the bushy red beard and boyish looks that had earned him the nickname of "Holy" back in the turbulent, late twentieth century, will be a grave loss to both the National Party and the Wanganui Collegiate Old Boys' Association.

Born in 1945. Sir John first took up the reigns of public office as sandshoe monitor at Wanganui Collegiate, a school which he served as a prefect and later as a stalwart in the Old Boys' movement.

It was at Collegiate that Sir John first became interested in nature, an interest that was to lead to his becoming a renowned amateur ornithologist. His collection included a pet Squawking Gallah. This gruff, white and bright blue bird was known affectionately as "Lord Mackinnon." Sir John went on to read law at the Victoria University, following in the footsteps of his father who was to die so tragically beneath a tram in 1983. McGrath served on the student executive and became president in 1966, a post he was to hold for two years until the disastrous food riots in 1968. Already, the responsibility of his posts left no time for cultural activity.

Graduating in 1973. McGrath first distinguished himself in the notorious libel case which came to be known as the "Thurbage Affair." Thurbage. an infamous cynic, had alleged in an article that McGrath was a practising conservative. McGrath argued the now famous plea that conservatism should be legal between consenting adults in private, and became famous overnight. He lost the case, however.

He went to further his studies at Oxford after a tour of South Africa, and returned to New Zealand to practise law.

In a distinguished military career he was promoted to Lieutenant and was to wear a black patch over his right eye following the bitter Wairarapa campaign against the Viet Cong in the winter of 1977.

In 1986 McGrath stood for National in the Wellington Central electorate only to be defeated by the sitting Labour member, Sir Donald Griffin. In the next election McGrath fought in the recently vacated Pahiatua electorate and entered the House.

He quickly surged to the front benches and held the posts of Minister of Justice, Finance, External Affairs, and Overseas Trade. He was so successful at these positions that nothing more could be found for him to do and he was knighted and promoted to the back benches in 1994.

In 2003. the year of his entry into the Upper House, Sir John married—he is survived by his wife, two daughters and his dog, Trevor.

He had few regrets towards the end of his life. "A lifetime of public service and flagrant egotism." he once said, "leaves little time for artistic interest. Such is the burden of serving one's country. Without divine inspiration I could not have carried on."

On his death bed, surrounded by his pets, and his family. McGrath could still manage to see the lighter side of things. "By George," he said, as the flame of life guttered dimly. "I wish I could go to the Almighty 'bombed on champers'."

No more will his colourful personality tread the corridors of power. Always a stickler for formality, Sir John was a frequent figure in Willis Street in his Old Boys' tie. and tweed waistcoat and suit, contrasting favourably with the gaudy polyvinyl miniskirts and sports clothes of the younger generation. No more will he be seen in Bellamy's, with his bushy red beard and black patch, the white and blue Gallah perched on his shoulder and the faithful spaniel by his side.