COLONEL TATE’S RETIREMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 4

COLONEL TATE’S RETIREMENT.

The impending retirement of Colonel R. W. Tate, C.M.G., from the position of stipendiary magistrate with headquarters at New Plymouth, will bring to an end a public career that has been notable for its exceptional qualities. of citizenship. Although he first achieved distinction in a military capacity Colonel Tate did not, strangely enough, gain that honour by the exercise of the qualities that are most commonly associated with militarism. To lead rather than to drive was his golden rule, and it was a policy peculiarly suited to . the Polynesian people with whom he was later to come into close contact. This was made strikingly apparent by his success as first civil administrator of Samoa. He left the mandated territory in a state of contentment, and only the passing of the subsequent years has brought a full realisation of the real merit of his administration. The same marked qualities of impartiality, earnestness and tact characterised his work as stipendiary magistrate in Taranaki. The position is one that demands not only a sound knowledge of law but also great forbearance, a wide understanding of human nature and impartiality of outlook to a very high degree. These qualities Mr. Tate possessed in a happy combination. No expenditure of time in the consideration of evidence was too great for him in his endeavours to come to a just decision, and if at times members of the legal profession may have differed with him in his judgments it may safely be said that not one of them ever lost his deep respect for the magistrate’s innate fair-mindedness. Throughout his magisterial career he graced the Bench with honour and with dignity, and into the coming years of well-earned rest he will carry with him the good wishes of a \ public appreciative of duty well and conscientiously done. —-- <