TWO NEW JUDGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22086, 16 April 1935, Page 10

TWO NEW JUDGES

PILLING OF VACANCIES AUCKLAND BARRISTER MR. E. H. NORTHCROFT MR. DONNELLY, CHRISTCHURCH Elevation to the Supreme Court Bench has been offered to a well-known Auckland barrister. Mr. E. H. Northcroft, who has accepted the appointment. It is understood that Mr. A. T. Donnelly, a prominent Christchurch barrister, has received a similar appointment. Although no announcement has been made, it is thought probable that Mr. Justice Johnston, of Christchurch, will preside over the Court of Review set up by the Rural Mortgagors' Final Adjustment Act, and that Mr. Northcroft will become resident judge in Christchurch. It is also considered likely that Mr. Donnelly will come to Auckland to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Justice Herdman, whose period of three months' leave will begin at the end of this month. Many Important Oases A prominent part in legal, military and yachting activities has been taken by Mr. Northcroft. He was born in Hokitika in 1884 and received his education at the local district high school, Wellington College and Auckland University College. His first legal experience was gained in Auckland with the firm oTDcvore and J. C. Martin, and in 1907 he commenced practice in Hamilton on his own account. While in Hamilton Mr. Northcroft was a member of the borough council, and several times president of the Hamilton Law Society. He saw service during the war, and later resumed his practice in Hamilton, remaining there until 1923, when ho joined the Auckland firm that is now styled Earl, Kent, Massey and Northcroft. Since he commenced practice in Auckland Mr. Northcroft has figured in many important civil cases, including that in which Wairakei, Limited, was concerned. He has made a special study of commercial law, but has also been associated with a number of criminal cases, including the Munn and Bayly-murder trials. Long Military Service A prominent position in military circles is held by Mr. Northcroft. He was major commanding G Battery, Hamilton, before the war, and when hostilities commenced he enlisted as a captain. Ho gained promotion to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, being posted first to the 3rd Battery. New Zealand Field Artillery. Later he commanded the Ist Battery and was several times in temporary command of the Ist Field Artillery Brigade. Mr. Northcroft was awarded the D.S.O. after the fighting that preceded the armistice. After the war, Mr. Northcroft went to England and was appointed director of the Department of Education established by Major-General Sir Andrew Russell /-kthin the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. On his return to New Zealand he commanded the Auckland Field Artillery Brigade, and later became deputy-Judge AdvocateGeneral for the New Zealand Territorial Forces. Subsequently he was appointed Advocate-General and was promoted to the rank of colonel. Mr. Northcroft still holds both positions. He was also awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration. An active interest in yachting is taken by Mr. Northcroft, who has sailed the A class keel yacht Hex on the Waitemata Harbour for the past seven years. He is commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and vicechairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association. Mr. Donnelly's Career Mr. Arthur Telford Donnelly was born in Christchurch in 1890 and is a son of Mr. Michael Donnelly, at one time one of the best known of Christchurch barristers. He was educated at the Marist Brothers' School, Christchurch, and the Christchurch Boys' High School and the Canterbury University College, where he obtained the degree of bachelor of laws. Mr. Donnelly was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1911, and was in partnership with his father from 1913 until 1916, when he went to the war. Ho served with the Otago Regiment from 1916 until 1919. On his return he took up practice in Christchurch again and joined the firm of Raymond, Stringer, Hamilton and Donnelly. Ho was appointed Crown solicitor in Christchurch in 1921. Mr. Donnelly has been a member of the Canterbury College Board of Governors. Keen Interest in Cricket

Mr. Donnelly has been noted for his fairness and ability in handling legal matters, and during the tramway strike he was called upon to act as arbitrator in the dispute between the Christchurch Tramway Board and the-v Christchurch Tramway Employees' Union. He also presided at a recent unofficial inquiry into affairs of the Metropolitan Relief Association, and the system of distributing relief by the association was revised largely in accordance with his recommendations.

For several years Mr. Donnelly has been chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council, with which body he has long been associated. He did specially useful work for the game in the Dominion during his visit to England in 1931 when the New Zealand cricket team was touring that country. His interviews with the leading administrators of the Marylebone Cricket Club and other prominent cricket officials did much toward the adoption of a progressive policy regarding the visits of English cricket teams to this country. Until very recently Mr. Donnelly has continued to play cricket when the opportunity offered. He is a member of the West Christchurch Cricket Club. MR. JUSTICE FRAZER • ARBITRATION COURT JUDGE RETIREMENT FROM BENCH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday ■ Mr. Justice Frazer this morning presided over the Arbitration Court for the last time before taking up his new duties as deput3'-chairman of the Executive Commission of Agriculture. He was farewelled by local members of the Taranaki District Law Society, representatives of the employers' association, and of workers' unions. Mr. H. R. Billing, president of the Law Society, expressed appreciation of the manner in which Mr. Justice Frazer had presided over the Court and assisted in the administration of the justice of the country. Mr. V. Duff (employers) and Mr. G. Fleming (workers) referred to the courtesy of the Judge and the assistance ho had given those who had appeared as.advocates. It was mentioned that Mr. Justice Frazer had been president of the Arbitration Court for 14 years, which constitutes one-third of the whole period in which the Court has been in existence. ,