The Honourable Sir George Arney | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Chief Justice of New Zealand | |
| In office 1858–1875 | |
| Nominated by | Edward Stafford |
| Appointed by | Thomas Gore Browne |
| Preceded by | William Martin |
| Succeeded by | James Prendergast |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1810 Salisbury,  United Kingdom |
| Died | 7 April 1883 (aged 72–73) Torquay, United Kingdom |
| Spouse | Harriet Parr |
Sir George Alfred Arney (1810 – 7 April 1883) was the second Chief Justice of New Zealand.
Arney was born in 1810 in Salisbury, England. His parents were William Arney, a barrister, and Maria Charlotte Arney. He was educated at Winchester and Brasenose College, Oxford. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1832 and a Master of Arts in 1833. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1829, and received his call to the bar in 1837.[1]
He married Harriet Parr in 1835, but his wife died only seven years later.[1]
He was appointed by the Colonial Office on the advice of Justice Lord Coleridge on 2 September 1857,[1] and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, on the brig Gertrude on 19 February 1858.[2] He was Chief Justice from 1858 to 1875.[3] He was appointed Administrator of the Government under Governor Sir George Bowen on 1 October 1869 and assumed office on 21 March 1873.[4] Arney administered the country for three months between the departure of Sir George Bowen and the arrival of Sir James Fergusson.[5] Arney retired from that role on 14 June 1873 with the arrival of Fergusson.[4]
He was appointed to the Legislative Council on 20 February 1858 (the day after his arrival in the country) and remained a legislative councillor until his resignation on 13 June 1866.[6]
Arney was knighted in 1862 while Chief Justice.[7]
Governor George Grey resigned Arney's judgeship in 1875. Arney retired to Torquay in England.[1] His brother, Colonel Arney, who had previously served with the 58th Regiment in New Zealand, died on 6 April 1879 in Cheltenham.[8] Arney received a significant inheritance from his brother.[1]
He died in Torquay on 7 April 1883.[1] Arney Street in Paeroa, which is part of State Highway 26, is named for him.[9] He is buried in the courtyard of Salisbury Cathedral.
