LIFETIME IN COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 14

LIFETIME IN COURT

By the retirement of Mr Charles Ernest Cuff, senior registrar of the Westminster County Court, a remarkable family record has come to an end. Mr Cuff, who is in his seventy-sixth year, lias passed his life in association with the County Court—four years as deputy registrar, and 42-i years as registrar. He was born at Binderton, near West Dean, Sussex. "When I was 17," Mr Cuff explained in an interview, " I was articled to my uncle, Christopher Cuff, who was the llrst registrar of Westminster County Court, having been appointed in 1847, when the county courts were established. He was registrar for 2G years, and died in harness in 1873. "His elder son, Christopher Robert Cuff, was appointed registrar, and a younger son, Herbert Cuff, deputy registrar. Herbert retired in 1888, and I succeeded him. The work increased so much that in 1892 it was decided to have two registrars, and I was promoted registrar. " I was joint registrar with Christopher Robert Cuff until 1909, when lie resigned owing to ill-health after 36 years' service. There had been a Cuff as registrar at the court for over 87 years, ever since the court began. Now comes a break at last."