Judge Cadenhead sworn in

Press, 6 November 1984, Page 6

Judge Cadenhead sworn in

Mr John Cadenhead, who has been in practice as a lawyer in Christchurch and Westland for the last 24 Jears, was sworn in as a udge of the District Court yesterday amidst tributes from senior judges and lawyers. , The main District Court at Christchurch was packed for the swearing-in ceremony, with many lawyers present from centres on the West Coast, where Judge Cadenhead practised for 12 years. The police and other authorities involved in law enforcement and administration were also present, along with family members and friends. Eight of the 10 resident judges were amongst the official party, which also included Judge B. J. Cullinane and the registrar of the District Court at Christchurch, Mr R. B. Twidle. Messages were received from judiciary throughout New Zealand. Chief Judge D. J. Sullivan officiated for the taking of the oath of allegiance and the judicial oath. Chief Judge Sullivan later paid tribute to Judge Caden-

head’s industriousness and his extremely wide experience in legal work. He noted that Judge Cadenhead joined two other judges appointed to the Bench after serving in the legal practice established by Mr Ben Scully at Westport. They were Mr Scully, appointed a magistrate in 1949, and Chief Justice Sullivan, who was apppointed in 1966. Chief Judge Sullivan said Judge Cadenhead completed the treble, and he was sure a good dividend would result. The president of the Canterbury District Law Society, Mr A. P. C. Tipping, said Judge Cadenhead’s width and depth of experience would stand him in good stead in the administration of justice. He had had a thorough but imaginative approach, a very busy practice at the bar, and had given his all to every case. The vice-president of the Westland District Law Society, Mr K. J. Taylor, recounted Judge Cadenhead’s legal career from his being the gold medal scholar in his course at the University of Canterbury in

1959. After 18 months at Dunedin, he began his long association with the West Coast; three years at Westport and nine at Greymouth. Since returning to Christchurch he had retained links with legal firms on the West Coast. “Judge Cadenhead is well known and widely regarded, and is regarded as a Coaster in spite of his Canterbury birth,” said Mr Taylor. Judge Paterson, the senior judge at Christchurch, welcomed Judge Cadenhead, on behalf of all judges. Other Christchurch judges present were Judges D. B. Pain, N. L. Bradford, C. C. Fraser, K. J. Frampton, B. A. Palmer, J. S. Bisphan, and N. G. Hattaway. Judge Cadenhead thanked all present for their support and said he would strive to * justify the confidence placed in him. Judge Cadenhead will preside at District Court sittings at Christchurch for the remainder of this week, hearing police fixtures this morning. From next week he will be a resident judge at Otahuhu, South Auckland.