MR JUSTICE OSTLER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 113, 16 May 1942, Page 4

MR JUSTICE OSTLER

RETIRING IN OCTOBER LONG JUDICIAL CAREER (P.A.) Wellington. May 15 The Minister of Justice. Hon. H. G R. Mason, announced to-day that M v Justice Ostler had given formal notice of his intention to retire from lhe Bench of the Supreme Court as from October 1 next. Mr. Mason said il was generally known that Mr. Justice Ostler’s health had been failing for some time, but with characteristic courage he had long resisted an inclination lo give up judicial work. He would, in the meantime. be stationed in Wellington, ir.d would assist the work of the local Supreme Court. The Minister said that the Chffif Justice. Sir Michael Myers, had advised him that the Judges had offered, because of war conditions, to carry on the judicial work after Mr. Justice Ostler's retirement without, any new appointment being made. The Government had accented this offer frot.i ihu Judges, and the vacancy would not he tilled unless the circumstance su bseq uen 11 y ch a n ged. Sir Hubert Ostler is lhe oldest member of the Judiciary, having been appointed to th n Supreme Court Bench in 1925. He was born in 3’imaru in 1876. and was educated at Christ's Hospital. London, and Victoria University College. Wellington, graduating LLB. For a time ho was associate to Sir Robert Stout, the ’a’.e Chief Justice. In lhe course of a brilliant career he became a K.C and was a member of the firm of Russell. Tunks and Ostler. A keen education t I authority, ho was a member of the New Zealand University Senate, and examiner in law. He is a life member of lhe Wellington and Auckland Acclimatisation Societies. He is ai-o a noted big game hunter, and in h ” trips abroad made excursions into the African jungle. He was knighted in 1939. and in 1911 married a sister cf Messrs. C. L. and H. J. Duigan. Wanganui. In his young days Sir Hubert was a noted Rugby player, and represented Wellington. Horowhenua and Manawatu.