THE MAGISTRACY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1930, Page 4

THE MAGISTRACY

MR T. E. Y. SEDDON APPOINTEE ,3j Telegraph—Per Press Aijgociatiom*) WELLINGTON,’ Feb. 14. The retirement of Mr D. G. A. Cooper, for some years a Stipendiary Magistrate, and also Chairman of the War Pensions Board, is announced. The vacancy created on the War Pensions Board as chairman will be filled by the appointment to the position of Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, ex-M.P.„ barrister an dsolicitor, of GreymoutbThe other members of the Board, Dr A. W. Izard and Mr J. D. Harper, will be appointed for a further term.

The news, of the retirement Mr T. E. Y. Seddon from tlVe political areiul will be received with mixed feelings.. Mr Seddon has been associated politically with this district since 1906, and has taken a very* close interest in the fortunes of the; district. He fought several hard elections and secured some victories. Political fortunes are often: varied, and on two occasions ho was defeated, Labour' winning the seat.; /'The latest ; defeat came at a very inopportune time,, for the party Mr Beddon espoused, was returned to office, and had the local verdict been ent Mr Seddon would no doubt have gone,, a step further in his political career. However, these things are i» the lap of the gods, and Mr Seddflti accepted his defeat in good grace apd went back to his professional business. The. post he, has been offered and accepted is an important one in the magistracy of New Zealand. For the particular chair, lie will occupy, Mr special qualities, having been on active service and through, enfecy phase of the soldier’s hard lifeOn active service he occupied high and honourable positions, and on occasions was in some of the tightest corners of the fighting. He knows call about the soldier’s lot, and should be able to give the position that sympathetic attention which is only fair in the case of those whose health, have broken down after arduous war service.

How' long Mr Seddon may remaita. at the post is indefinite, but when he is called actually to to the Bench he> has qualities which should fit him. well for the position. Mr Seddon has a personal record of the highest, and on that account his choice for such a position is above reproach. He has qualities which should enable him to go far and prove himself a notable publio servant. It is certain the district will part with Mr Seddon with regret. His personal qualities made him friends everywhere, and he was well known in all parts of the district; We believe he had a love for Westland and a desire to serve the district to .the* very best advantage. (To that end he never spared himself, and when it coimei to him finally severing his relation.* -with' Westland, the district is going to lose a very goo 4 friend and one who never tired of doing all he could for. the district. . Much the same can be said of all the members of the Seddon family. They had come greatly, endeared to Westland and its fortunes for family r ,reasons, and Westland will have always warm friends in that quarter: " Time brings its changes, and farewells are inevitable. Mr Seddon, we hope, will find the new position a stepping stone to greater opportunities. Westland owes him and the members, of the family, very great thanks for all that they have done for the district and no doubt opportunity will be made for an expression of oui thanks in the most cordial manner possible before Mr Seddon. has to leave the district.