New judges in Land Court

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 4

New judges in Land Court

PA Wellington The Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Couch) has announced two new appointments to the Maori Land Court. Judge M. C. Smith has been appointed to act as Deputy Chief Judge, and Mr Ashley George McHugh has been appointed as new judge. Judge Smith’s appointment results from the recent resignation of Chief Judge K. Gillanders Scott. Judge Smith who was appointed a judge in 1964 and has since been based in Palmerston North, is now the senior judge of the Maori Land Court. Judge McHugh, of Gisborne, will take up his appointment in March, replacing Judge W. C. Nicholson, who will retire after 14 years service, all in Northland. He is a solicitor and senior partner in the Gisborne legal firm of Burnard Bull and Company. He is 53, married, with three sons and two daughters. He was educated at

St Brigidine College. Johnsonville, and St Patrick’s College, Wellingon, and later attended Victoria University, Wellington, as a part-time student. After xvar service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and 2 N.Z.E.F. in Japan, he was discharged in 1947 with the rank of second lieutenant and resumed his university studies. Judge McHugh qualified in professional law in 1952, and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1954. He has been a partner in his present firm since 1959. His other interests include the Chamber of Commerce, trustee savings banks, road safety, and acting as honorary solicitor for local charitable and community, organisations. A keen cricketer and rugby player, he has represented Wellington in Brabin Shield cricket and Poverty Bay at rugby, as well as holding administrative positions in both sports.