Instead of a weather report this time I want to comment on our health system. In spite of great upheavals the Christchurch Hospital continues to offer excellent service to all in need. My 8 year old grandson had need of urgent surgery just a week or so ago and then while I was visiting him I found myself in A & E after collapsing near the hospital doorstep.

It was an interesting few hours and at 1pm on a Friday afternoon the emergency department was bursting at the seams with several patients lined up in corridors and more arriving by Westpac helicopter. Each received due care and attention and the staff were amazing, professional and caring.

Underpaid, overworked and taken for granted but not a complaint from any of the several who attended to me. I can’t thank them enough.

New Justices.

Seven new Justices were sworn in on Tuesday the 25th September and we welcome David Drayton, Robbie Drew, Paul Hudson, Sean Lester, Michelle Spence, Christine Tairoa and Ann Toomey to our membership. The ceremony was conducted by His Honour Judge MacAskill and President BJ Clark spoke on behalf of the Canterbury Association.

New Members and Transfers

Leiola Pelesikoti is an Auckland JP with family in Christchurch and has joined CJPA so that she can assist on a Service Desk when staying in Christchurch. We welcome her and thank her for the extra service she is providing. Also transferring IN from the Nelson Tasman Association are Garfield Blair, Elizabeth Cunningham and Cheryl Hill. We welcome them also to CJPA.

Shama Nisha and Andrew Melville have transferred OUT to Auckland and Wellington Associations respectively. We thank them both for their contribution to Canterbury and wish them well as they move north.

Retirements.

The following members have retired from active duty:- Ashley Weir, Peter Berry, Kenneth Austin, Sam Beveridge, Ernest Ball, Robert Curd and Maria Evans. They have collectively provided many, many years of service to their communities and most are retaining Retired Membership of this Association.

Obituaries.

Four JPs have died recently – Ronald (Ron) Wright (12/09/18), Loama Avia (02/08/18) and Jean Stewart-Long (25/07/18) were all active members at the time of their deaths and their service and experience will be greatly missed. Peter Miles had retired from active service earlier this year and sadly died on the 31st July.

We express our sincere condolences to all their families along with our grateful thanks for their many years of service.

Long Service Certificates.

The following JPs have been awarded Ministry of Justice Long Service Certificates:-

30 years – Shirley Smith and Ian Wallace

40 years – Derek Banks

Hopefully these JPs will receive their certificates at the AGM.

Life Memberships.

At the AGM on the 13th October Peter Berry JP - CJPA Registrar for 9 years covering the period immediately after the earthquakes and a major contributor to the Centenary Book and Garth Dale JP – current CJPA Treasurer for 18 years and formerly the Association Auditor were both made life members of the Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association. Theirs were the first appointments made for 21 years and both very worthy recipients and it was great that their families could be present to share the event.

Ken Shields JP

Registrar