RETIRING MAGISTRATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 67

RETIRING MAGISTRATES.

MR RIDDELL LEAVES THE BENCH VARIED AND INTERESTING WELLINGTON, November 29. After long service on the Bench in Wellington and in other parts of the Dominion, Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., principal magistrate in Wellington and the second senior magistrate in New’ Zealand, is retiring from office at the end of December. Teacher, instrumentalist, sportsman, barrister and solicitor, and magistrate, Mr Riddell has had an interesting and notable career. When he relinquishes office he will be greatly missed by all those whose business takes them to the Magistrate’s Court. Otago is Mr Riddell’s birthplace and he received his education at the Sandymount School, the Dunedin Normal Training College, and at the Otago University, where he gained his B.A. degree in 1889, and his M.A degree with honours in political science the following year. In 1898 Mr Riddell was admitted as a barrister and solicitor, and he lectured in jurisprudence for a period at the Otago University.

After receiving his legal training in Messrs Duncan and MacGregor’s office in Dunedin he was appointed relieving magistrate for New Zealand, and he sat n various parts of the country, including Christchurch, Auckland, Wanganui, and Dunedin. Iff June, 1907, Mr Riddell was transferred to Wellington. At that time Dr M‘Arthur was principal magistrate here. In October, 1913, Dr M‘Arthur died, and on January 1, 1914, Mr Riddell was appointed principal magistrate, which position he lias held ever since. Throughout his term of office here Mr Riddell has been chairman of the Wellington and Hutt Licensing Committees, and he is also chairman of the Tramways Appeal Board. He has sat on various commissions of inquiry, including a commission in connection with the Defence Department some years ago, and another in Christchurch concerning the Working Men’s Club, and also the inquiry into the railway disaster at Ongarue in 1923.

Mr Riddell has conducted many notable nautical inquiries, among them being the inquiries into the loss of the Ripple in 1924, the wreck of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Tongariro on a pinnacle off Bull Rock on the East Coast in 1916, and the wreck of the C. and D. liner Port Elliot near East Cape early in 1924. In his younger days Mr Riddell was a member of the Oamaru No. 1 Rifles and a band there, and he also played in the Dunedin Garrison Band. In 1891 he took part in the band contest held in Dunedin. He was also a member of the Dunedin Liedertafel. Mr Riddell has always been a keen sporting enthusiast. He has taken part in amateur athletic events, gaining success over various distances. Nor has the football and cricket field been neglected by him. He was, and still is, fond of both forms of sport. Mr Rid-

dell has also ridden on the cycle track, and was handicapper for the Otago Cycling Club and the Dunedin Caledonian Society. About 1895, when in Oamaru, Mr Riddell was a member of the Oamaru Rifle Club, and he has been down the mounds alongside many of the Dominion’s best shots, including Messrs W. S. King, M'Gregor, and Rule. Many noted men in the legal world have practised before Mr Riddell, including all the present judges of the Supreme Court, some of the present magistrates, and many prominent barristers. Latterjy Mr Riddell has not been feeling in /he best of health, and at present it is his intention to leave towards the end of next month for Australia, where he hopes to see the third cricket test match between the Australian and English Elevens at Melbourne. Speaking to-day, Mr Riddell said that any success he had gained had been contributed to by the assistance he had at all times received., from the police, the bar, the press, and others. He had had a pleasant term of office, but lately his health had not been all it might be.

MR GEORGE CRUICKSHANK. INVERCARGILL, November 29. After 27 years’ service on the Bench Mr George Cruickshank, S.M., will retire next March. For the last 20 years he has been stipendiary magistrate at Invercargill. Mr and Mrs Cruickshank intend leaving for England in April or May, and on their return will take up their residence in Auckland.