Farewell To Court Registrar

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31488, 30 September 1967, Page 18

Farewell To Court Registrar

A gathering of 80 members of the Justice Department in the Supreme Court last evening, including a number of senior officers from other centres, was described as “eloquent tribute” to Mr J. L. W. Gerken, registrar of the Supreme Court and Sheriff of Canterbury, who retired from his positions yesterday.

Mr Gerken, the registrar of the Supreme Court in Christchurch since April, 1958, this week completed 40 years service with the Justice Department.

Mr B. J. Bayley, the assistant registrar, who presided at the gathering, said that Mr Gerken was New Zealand’s senior, and most able and experienced, Supreme Court registrar. “We losing a registrar of outstanding ability.” he said. Messages of Tribute Messages and telegrams of tribute to Mr Gerken were read from the Chief Justice (Sir Richard Wild) and other Supreme Court judges. Judge A. K. Archer, of the Land Valuation Court, the Secretary for Justice (Dr J. L. Robson), other Supreme Court

registrars, and other wellwishers.

Mr P. D. Clancy, who will succeed Mr Gerken as Supreme Court registrar, and who spoke on behalf of the Magistrate’s Court and other branches of the Justice Department, bade farewell to Mr Gerken and said that the large gathering was an eloquent tribute to his popularity and ability. After Mr E. Churcher. the Supreme Court registrar at Wanganui, and Mr T. J. Kennedy, the chief inspector of the Justice Department in Wellington, had also spoken, Mr W. Parker, a retired registrar of the Supreme Court at Christchurch and Wellington, made Mr Gerken a presentation of a rocking chair. Farewell By Judges Mr Gerken, earlier in the day, when presiding as registrar of the Supreme Court for the last time, was bidden farewell by the Full Court of Christchurch judges, Mr Justice Macarthur and Mr Justice Wilson. Mr Justice Macarthur, after referring to Mr Gerken’s “long and distinguished career” in the courts, said that no law officer was held in higher regard. “I should like to say how much the judges have appreciated the loyal and efficient attention you have given to your duties,” his Honour said.