{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Thomas Joynt | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KC|size=100%}} | image = Thomas Joynt (Burke Manuscript).jpg | alt = Portrait sketch of a man | caption = Sketch of Thomas Joynt | birth_date = December 1830 | birth_place = Dunmore, County Galway, Ireland | death_date = 5 September 1907 (aged 77) | death_place = Christchurch, New Zealand | nationality = | occupation = barrister and solicitor | known_for = senior member of the New Zealand bar }}
'''Thomas Ingham Joynt''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KC}} (December 1830 – 5 September 1907) was a senior member of the New Zealand legal profession from Christchurch. Born in Ireland, he emigrated to Canterbury with his wife and child in 1856. He had commenced legal training in Dublin and was admitted to the bar in 1863 in Christchurch; at the same time, he set up his own legal firm. Over the years, he formed various partnerships with other solicitors. Joynt became known as a defence lawyer and had many high-profile cases, but he was equally successful in civil cases. In 1907, when the first ten King's Counsel were appointed in New Zealand, Joynt was acknowledged as the senior member of the bar. He practised until shortly before his death.
He represented Kaiapoi on the Canterbury Provincial Council from 1871 until the abolition of provincial government some five years later. He served on the Canterbury Executive Council as Provincial Solicitor for 15 months under William Montgomery. He unsuccessfully stood for Parliament in {{NZ election link|1884}} and this marked the end of his political ambitions.
==Early life== Joynt was born in 1830 in Dunmore, County Galway, Ireland.<ref name="Press obit">{{cite news | title=Obituary |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19070906.2.34 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=6 September 1907 |volume=LXIII |issue=12902 |page=7}}</ref> His parents were Thomas and Sarah Joynt (née Kennedy).<ref name="Marriage record">{{cite web |title=Area – Dublin (COI), Parish/Church/Congregation – Glasnevin |url= http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/601fdc0527321 |publisher=Irish Genealogy |access-date=6 September 2013}}</ref> He went to school in Tuam and then Dublin.<ref name="Star obit">{{cite news |title=Obituary |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS19070905.2.65 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Star |date=5 September 1907 |issue=9026 |page=3}}</ref> He trained as a lawyer in Dublin, where he met Justice Gresson, who would later admit him as a barrister to the Supreme Court.<ref name="Press obit" />
He married Edith Abbott, the daughter of John Abbott, on 11 June 1856 in Glasnevin.<ref name="Marriage record" /> On the suggestion of Gresson, they emigrated on the ''Mariner'' to New Zealand, arriving in Wellington on 25 November 1856 after an eventful journey that resulted in several deaths.<ref name="Star obit" /> They continued on the ''Canterbury'' to Lyttelton, which was reached on 1 December.<ref name="Star obit" /><ref>{{cite news | title=Arrived |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=LT18561203.2.7.1 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=Lyttelton Times |date=3 December 1856 |volume=VI |issue=426 |page=7}}</ref>
==Legal career== thumb|Sketch of Thomas Joynt's first office (building on right) in Lichfield Street thumb|The same location in 2009, with Joynt's site occupied by the building on the right He first worked as a law clerk in Lyttelton at the Magistrate's Court, but moved to Christchurch in 1858 to take up employment with Gresson and then with Thomas Smith Duncan. After five years with Duncan (whose law firm still exist today as Duncan Cotterill<ref>{{cite web |title=Duncan Cotterill – Lawyers since 1857 |url= http://www.duncancotterill.com/index.cfm/1,83,0,43,html/History |publisher=Duncan Cotterill |access-date=6 September 2013}}</ref>), he was admitted in 1863 as a barrister and solicitor to the Supreme Court by Gresson, and he started his own law firm.<ref name="Press obit" />
During his legal career, he formed various partnerships. The first was with Richard Dunn Thomas, his brother-in-law, who had received his legal training from him. He then had a partnership with Allan William O'Neil, followed by one with Westby Perceval, and then with Acton Adams. The next partnership was with A C Andrews, which still existed when Joynt died.<ref name="Press obit" /><ref name="Star obit" />
Joynt trained others in law, and this included his brother-in-law,<ref name="Star obit" /> James Arthur Flesher,<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Society/People/F/Flesher-James/ |title=James Arthur Flesher |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |access-date=15 February 2010 |location=Christchurch}}</ref> Walter Stringer (KC), James Hay, and Maurice James Gresson (an older brother of Kenneth Macfarlane Gresson; both grandsons of Justice Gresson).<ref name=funeral>{{cite news | title=Arbitration Court at Kaiapoi |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19070909.2.26.2 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=9 September 1907 |volume=LXIII |issue=12904 |page=7}}</ref>
The first case that made him prominent was the successful defence of Mrs Patterson and Miss Williams, who were charged with arson of their leased cafe in Cashel Street.<ref name="Press obit" /><ref>{{cite news | title=The Fire in Cashel Street |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18700311.2.12 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=11 March 1870 |volume=XVI |issue=2152 |page=3}}</ref> Other prominent cases were the defence for Cedeno, the murder that happened at the house of William Robinson, and the defence of Hugh McLeod, who had murdered his wife.<ref name="Press obit" /> Joynt appeared in a large number of important civil cases, of which a Kaiapoi case in 1872 was remarkable. Joynt's client, Mr Keetley, proceeded against the Minister of Public Works, William Reeves, for compensation against losses resulting from the construction of the Main North railway line.<ref>{{cite news | title=Arbitration Court at Kaiapoi |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18720507.2.13 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=7 May 1872 |volume=XIX |issue=2812 |page=2}}</ref> The case was successful and considerable compensation was paid.<ref name="Press obit" />
In June 1907, he was one of ten people appointed as the first King's Counsel in New Zealand;<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen's Counsel appointments since 1907 as at July 2013 |url=http://www.crownlaw.govt.nz/uploads/qc_since_1907.pdf |publisher=Crown Law Office |access-date=4 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329220631/http://www.crownlaw.govt.nz/uploads/qc_since_1907.pdf |archive-date=29 March 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=King's Counsel |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS19070607.2.55 |access-date=7 September 2013 |work=The Star |date=7 June 1907 |issue=8949 |page=3}}</ref> at the time, he was the senior member of the bar in New Zealand.<ref name="Star obit" /> He was sworn in on 12 June 1907, together with Walter Stringer, the other Canterbury appointment.<ref name="KC">{{cite news |title=The King's Counsel |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS19070612.2.72 |access-date=7 September 2013 |work=The Star |date=12 June 1907 |issue=8953 |page=3}}</ref> On the day of his death, which occurred less than three months later, the sitting of the Magistrate's Court was adjourned as a mark of respect.<ref name="Star obit" /><ref name="KC" />
Joynt was the solicitor of the Avon Road Board for 40 years until his death.<ref>{{cite news | title=Avon |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19070914.2.13.4 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=14 September 1907 |volume=LXIII |issue=12909 |page=4}}</ref> He had a close association with Robert Stout, who at the time of Joynt's death was Chief Justice.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Late Mr Joynt |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH19070907.2.71 |access-date=7 September 2013 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=7 September 1907 |volume=XLIV |issue=13537 |page=6}}</ref>
Joynt practised until a fortnight before his death. It is said that he had an excellent command of the English language, and he drew heavily on the bible, Shakespeare, and other poets. He was quick-witted and could cite numerous quotes. In one case, argument was made whether a dog was or was not vicious. One witness described it as "gentle and amiable", whereas the other testified that it had often barked at him savagely. Joynt wryly addressed the judge:<ref name="An Appreciation">{{cite news | title=An Appreciation |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19070909.2.26.1 |access-date=7 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=9 September 1907 |volume=LXIII |issue=12904 |page=7}}</ref>
<blockquote>Vox, et praeterea nihil ({{in lang|la}} Voice and nothing more), your Honour.</blockquote>
He was well read and conversations with him were enjoyed by all. He was immensely proud of the progress that Canterbury had made during his time in the colony.<ref name="An Appreciation" />
==Political career== Although not a resident of Kaiapoi, Joynt went there for business regularly and was elected unopposed on 14 June 1871 to represent the township on the Canterbury Provincial Council.<ref>{{cite news | title=Kaiapoi Election |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18710615.2.20 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=15 June 1871 |volume=XVIII |issue=2534 |page=3}}</ref> He was re-elected in March 1874 and remained a member of the provincial government until its abolition on 31 October 1876.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=194}} During the time of William Rolleston as Superintendent of Canterbury, William Montgomery as Provincial Secretary appointed Joynt onto the Executive Council, where he served from January 1874 to April 1875 as Provincial Solicitor.<ref name="Star obit" />{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=191}}
Joynt contested the {{NZ electorate link|Christchurch South}} electorate in the {{NZ election link|1884}}, but was beaten by the incumbent, John Holmes, with 638 votes to 600.<ref>{{cite web |title=The General Election, 1884 |url= https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&cl=search&d=AJHR1884-II.2.2.3.5 |publisher=National Library |access-date=17 March 2012 |page=2 |year=1884}}</ref> This marked the end to Joynt's ambitions of public service; he never stood again for election after this defeat.<ref name="Star obit" />
==Family and death== When the Joynts first arrived in New Zealand, they had one child.{{sfn|Scholefield|1940|p=446}} Many members of his wife's family emigrated to New Zealand after they had settled in.<ref name="Star obit" /> From 1866 to 1885, the Joynt family home was Scotstown in St Albans, which he renamed Finglas after the Dublin suburb.<ref>{{cite web |title=Finglas, St. Albans, Christchurch |url= http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/heritage/photos/disc16/IMG0025.asp |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref> Scotston Avenue in St Albans commemorates the property.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/PlaceNames/ChristchurchStreetNames-S.pdf |title=Christchurch Street Names: S |last=Harper |first=Margaret |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |page=17 |access-date=7 September 2013}}</ref>
His wife died in January 1881 in Sumner.<ref>{{cite news | title=Deaths |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18810119.2.9 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=19 January 1881 |volume=XXXV |issue=4823 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=News of the Day |url= https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18810120.2.13 |access-date=6 September 2013 |work=The Press |date=20 January 1881 |volume=XXXV |issue=4824 |page=2}}</ref> Thomas Joynt died on 5 September 1907 after a short illness at his home, survived by five sons and two daughters, and was buried at Barbadoes Street Cemetery.<ref name="Press obit" /><ref name="Star obit" /><ref name=funeral />
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== *{{cite book | authorlink = Guy Scholefield | last = Scholefield | first = Guy | title = New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 | edition = 3rd | orig-year = First ed. published 1913 | year = 1950 | publisher = Govt. Printer | location = Wellington }} *{{cite book | editor-link = Guy Scholefield | editor-last = Scholefield | editor-first = Guy | title = A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography : A–L | url = https://nzhistory.govt.nz/sites/default/files/documents/dnzb-1940/scholefield-dnzb-v1.pdf | volume = I | year = 1940 | publisher = Department of Internal Affairs | location = Wellington }}
==External links== {{Commons category|Thomas Joynt}} *[http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/heritage/photos/disc16/img0025.asp Photo of Finglas], the Joynt family home
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joynt, Thomas Ingham}} Category:1830 births Category:1907 deaths Category:People from Christchurch Category:19th-century New Zealand lawyers Category:New Zealand King's Counsel Category:Members of Canterbury provincial executive councils Category:Members of the Canterbury Provincial Council Category:Unsuccessful candidates in the 1884 New Zealand general election Category:20th-century New Zealand lawyers