THE MAGISTRACY.

Shannon News, 12 March 1929, Page 2

THE MAGISTRACY.

MR P. H. HARPER APPOINTED TO THE BENCH.

The appointment to the Magistracy of Mr P. H. Harper, of Levin, to fill the vacancy caused by r the retirement at the end of February of Mr George Cruickshanlc, of Invercargill, was approved by Cabinet yesterday. It has not yet been decided in what district Mr Harper will serve on the bench. • The newly-appointed Magistrate is a member of a well-known Canterbury family, prominent in the legal and ecclesiastical life of Christchurch, being a son of Mr George Harper, 0.8. E., barrister,, of that city, and a .grandson of the late Dr. Harper, Bishop of ■Christchurch, and Primate of New Zealand, Ilis natal year was 1882 arid he was educated privately and at the Christchurch Boys’ High School. Mr Harper studied for the law ■ and was admitted to the Bar in entering into practico in Levin in 1907, and remaining; here ever since except for the period-of. the war. Mr-'Hixper has* long and honourable record of military service. He served in the "South African War and was through the Great War from ‘ the Landing to the 'Arrim- ' tiee. Enlisting as a private in the Math Body on the outbreak of hostilities, lie was‘present at the' Landing at Gallipoli, and subsequently was on active _ service' in France with the N.Z. Expeditionary Force to the beginning of 1918, _ when- lie transferred to the Imperial Army, being: attached to the Headquarters of the 22nd Army Corps ■ with-the rank of captain. Wheri the Armistice was declared he-was-at Mons ' where the -war started, with the 22ud Corps. He returned to the Dominion ; in 1919 and resumed practice iii Levin/' Mr Harper .has taken a keen interest ! in sport and as a stew-ard of the Levin Racing Club and an active member of the Levin Golf and Tennis Clubs, in , both of which he has held various : office, his departure will meflin a distinct loss to these bodies. 1 The Returned Soldiers ’ Association has also had the benefit of his, assistance, and as secretary of the committee of Sr Andrew’s Catholic Church, he had done a great deal of work. Mr Harder received many congratulations from his to-day upon his ’ elevatidn to the Bench. ~~ ~~ i ... „ -