Workers sign letters commending Judge

Press, 27 April 1987, Page 12

Workers sign letters commending Judge

PA Auckland Sixty-eight workers at the District Court in Auckland have signed letters of appreciation of the retired Judge Brian Blackwood, sent to both Auckland daily newspapers. Staff members, Ms Wanda Mills and Ms Janice Cook, set about collecting the signatures for' letters to the editors after reading about the Judge’s resignation over a dropped drink-driving prosecution this week. Their letter says: “While it would be neither fitting nor proper for us to comment bn the circumstances surround-

ing Judge Brian Blackwood’s resignation, we wish to place on record our admiration for him both as a Judge and as a person and our sadness at his resignation. “We have nothing but respect for the manner and consistency with which he performed the duties of his office and we would like to state that his presence will be sorely missed in this office.” The pair began collecting signatures at midday on Tuesday and said they would have had many more had they' waited until all staff members returned from the Easter

vacation. It was time someone stood up and said what a great man he is, they said. “We were just so sad.” They found the Judge patient and conscientious, tough' but fair. He knew many staff members by their first names and was liked and respected by them all, they said.. They hoped their letter would hearten him. Approached at his home yesterday, Judge Blackwood said he had not read the workers’ letter. After hearing it, he said he was too overwhelmed to say anything in response.