NEW CHIEF JUSTICE

Chronicle (Levin), 10 August 1946, Page 5

NEW CHIEF JUSTICE

— Press Association

MR. H. F. O'LEARY APPOINTED

By Telegraph-

WEIjLINGTON, August 9. The new Chief .Justice of New Zealaud is Alr. II. F. O'Leary, K.C., oarrister and solicitor, Wellington, whose appointment to this ofiice was made today by the Governor-General, (Sir Beriiard Freyberg. A11 announcejuent of the appointment was made this evening by -the Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser. Mr. O 'Leary succeeds Sir MTchael Alyers whose retirement from the ollice of Chief Justice was formally announced in last night 's Gazette. Mr. II. F. O 'Leary is ivell known as a trial lawyer throughout New Zealand. A characteristic of his is a kind of Celtic emotionalisni and, in liis Court work at any rate, he has used this trait with considerable eii'ect. People who wituessed the closing scenes of the second Alareo trial at Auckland will recall the passion and emotion of his piea to tlie jury on Marco 's behalf. Adniittedly, his plea t'ailed 011 that occasion, but Mr. O 'Leary must be classed as one of the outstanding men in the profession. He rose to distinction in the • same old-establisbed law firm as did Sir Michael Myers, and his work, particuJarlv in criminal law, enhanced the lifm's reputation as weil as his own. Born at Blenheim in 18S6, he was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University College, where he graduated Bachelor of Laws, and was a university representative f'ootballer. He has been president of both the Wellington District Law Society and of the New Zealand Law Society. In 1924 he became a meniber of the Victoria University College Council and in 1985 he was made a King's Counsel.