NEW MAGISTRATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22475, 20 July 1936, Page 10

NEW MAGISTRATE

MR. RAYMOND FERNER MAYOR OF MOUNT ALBERT WIDE PUBLIC EXPERIENCE The appointment of Mr. Raymond Ferner, Mayor of Mount Albert, as a stipendiary magistrate was announced by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, on Saturday. The Minister said that it would probably be about a month before Mr. Ferner could take up his new duties, and it was likely that his circuit would be on the west coast of the South Island. It is a coincidence that Mr. Fertier's predecessor in office at Mount Albert, Mr. W. F. Stilwell, was appointed a magistrate in mi Mr. Ferner was born in Auckland in ]894, and was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and the Auckland University College. He received his professional training in this city, and 011 his return from active service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1!)]!), joined Mr. J. M. Melville in a law partnership. Ho has practised in Auckland with this firm, now Melville. Ferner and Broun, up to the present time.

The new magistrate has had a wide experience of public service on local and public bodies. He was elected to the Mount Albert Borough Council in 1931 and filled the positions of chairman of the finance committee and deputy-Mayor. On Mr. Stilwell's resignation, he was elected Mayor, and was re-elected unopposed last year. Ho is one of the two representatives'of the boroughs of Mount Eden, Mount Albert and Newmarket 011 the Auckland Transport Board, and is also a member of the executive of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board and the Metropolitan Relief Committee.

He comes of a family that has been conspicuous in social service, especially in the cause of children. His mother, the late Mrs. X. E. Ferner, was founder of the Community Sunshine Association, and Mr. Ferner is a director of that organisation. He has also served on school committees and similar bodies. The elevation of Mr. Ferner to the Bench will involve his resignation from tho public positions he holds, and he will relinquish them prior to his departure from Auckland. Early by-elec-tions for the Mount Albert Mayoralty and a seat on the Transport Board will thus bo necessitated.