The Chief Justiceship.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18552, 30 November 1925, Page 8

The Chief Justiceship.

It is announced to-day that Sir Robert Stout is retiring from the Bench early next year, and will be succeeded as Chief Justice by Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C. The retirement of Sir Robert is not unexpected, because he has now reached an age at which he can justly think himself entitled to some rest from public service. Before he commenced his 26 years of arduous and honourable work on the Supreme Court Bench, Sir Robert had a record of as long a term of public service as member of a Provincial Council, member of Parliament, Minister of the Crown, and Prime Minister. During his term as Chief Justice, he was for 20 years Chancellor of the University. It is doubtful whether the record of any other public man in the Dominion's history contains such striking evidence of long and continuous work so various and so important. The new Chief Justice, Mr Charles Skerrett, is a happy choice, and will be universally approved. It has been common talk that Mr. Skerrett was likely to be offered either the Chief Justiceship or,the office of AttorneyGeneral, but it was thought to be possible, and matter for regret, that Mr Skerrett would not be tempted to change either his business or his leisure for. either of these high and honourable posts. Mr Coates is to be congratulated upon having secured Mr Skerrctl's agreement to succeed Sir Robert Stout. The new Chief Justice has long been recognised as standing at the head of his profession as one of the very ablest of advocates and soundest of lawyers. Kew Zealand has always been fortunate in its Judges, and the new appointment will add new lustre to the Bench.