TRIBUTES FROM BAR

Evening Star, Issue 22919, 29 March 1938, Page 1

TRIBUTES FROM BAR

POPULAR NEW MAGISTRATE [Per United Press "Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Mar. 28. The Canterbury branch of the Law Society entertained Mr Rex C. Abernethy, who has been appointed to the magistracy, at a luncheon which was attended by 75 members. Mr J. D. Hutchison presided. The high regard in which Mr Abernethy was held in Christchurch was expressed by Mr Hutchison, who emphasised that the appointment had met with the universal approval of the profession. The society’s members recognised that the new magistrate possessed all the qualifications which would endure the upholding of the judicial prestige and dignity of the Bench. , Mr W. R. Lascelles spoke of the popularity of the appointment and he reviewed the association of Mr Abernethy with the profession in Christchurch, commencing from his law student days. On behalf of the senior members and particularly conveyancers, Mr H. D. Andrews said that the extreme popularity of the appointment with the younger lawyers was shared by the magistrate’s contemporaries and those who were of an older generation. An informal gathering of returned soldier members of the profession also entertained Mr Abernethy. Mt J. K. Moloney, who was in the chair, recalled that Mr Abernethy had given distinguished military service and had been awarded the military cross while in France. His appointment gave special pleasure to returned soldiers.