A RESPECTED MAGISTRATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20643, 15 February 1929, Page 10

A RESPECTED MAGISTRATE.

PRESENTATION TO MR G. CRUICKSHANK. (Special to Daily Times.) INVERCARGILL, February 14. At a large gathering of justices, representative of the Justices Association, Mr George Cruickshank, S.M., was accorded a farewell this morning. Mr W. A. Ott presided. In his opening remarks Mr Ott said Mr Cruickshank had first presided at the sitting of the court »n Invercargill on October 7, 1004. He did not think that anyone appreciated the multifarious duties of j stipendiary magistrate. Mr Cruickshank, in addition to his duties as magistrate, had been chairman of the local Assessment Court, of the Awarua Licensing Committee, and df the Borstal Committee, as well as warden and coroner, and had carried out his public duties faithfully and well. Despite his many official tasks, he had found time to interest himself, in the work of many societies, such as the Prisoners and Patients’ Aid Society, which \vould miss him greatly. During th£ 1918 influenza epidemic, as chairman of the Epidemic Council he had done yeoman service, and ns a member of the Hospital Saturday Association he had done much to help on its good work. His outside interests included the Motor Association, the League of Nations Union, and his duties as treasurer of St. Paul’s Church. In the midst of all these official and unofficial duties Mr Cruickshank had found time to issue a manual which was recognised as a standard in New Zealand in connection with Magistrate’s Court procedure. As a magistrate, Mr Cruickshank not only tempered justice with mercy, but had displayed the saving grace of humour. The speaker referred also to the work of Mrs Cruickshank, and said that she had ably seconded her busband in his public activities. He expressed the regret which all felt at Mr Crnickshank’s departure. Mr Ott then presented Mr Cruickshank with a sum of money with which to buy himself something to remind him of the Southland Justices Association, and with a silver plate to attach to his purchase. Messrs J. R. Haigh, James Ward, and R. J. Gumming also spoke, endorsing the chairman’s remarks.

In reply, Mr Cnfickshank said that it was very gratifying to receive a farewell such as that accorded hrm after he had spent so many years in Invercargill. He had always tried to take part in everything, and sometimes wondered if there were enough voluntary work done in New Zealand. He hoped that the townspeople would realise what an asset Invercargill had in Mr M'Lean, the city missioner, whose work in connection with the Prisoners and Patients’ Aid Society was beyond praise. He mentioned that the work of the justices of the peace, in the administration of justice, was a noble one, and expressed the hope that the Justices’ Association would flourish. .In concluding, Mr Gruickshank expressed his regret at leaving Invercargill, and his good wishes for the success of the town.