This was significant because it was the first time in my memory that all the new JPs being sworn in were female and it happened on Suffrage Day.

A few weeks ago I traveled around the south of the South Island and stayed in Te Anau and Wanaka.  It was a privilege to spend time in the beauty of New Zealand with deep blue lakes, snow-capped mountains and green fields and forests. Because it was in the “off season” there were few tourists about and the roads were not crowded with camper vans and buses. I really enjoyed exploring some roads I had not been on before and reconnecting with places last traveled to years ago.

Climate change and global warming are constantly in the news and while I was looking at the beauty of our countryside, I couldn’t help but wonder what it will all look like in 25 years time.  We need to make sure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the same beauty that we see today by supporting the necessary changes that will protect our fragile environment, country and planet.

New Justices
On Tuesday 9th July the following Justices were sworn in:- Edwin Boyce, Katrina Davidson, Frank Dowle, Rod Ell, Paul Martin, Suzy Mitchell, Kaylene Mullally, Tracey Riley, Geoff Shier, and Ken Sowden.

On Thursday 19th September Karena Brown, Tania Harmon, Te Paea Paringatai, Jo-Ann Retallick and Carolyn Tapley.   This was significant because it was the first time in my memory that all the new JPs being sworn in were female and it happened on Suffrage Day.   The ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of Christchurch – Lianne Dalziel – who was there to support one of the new JPs and discovered that she knew three of the five.  

Martin Peat and Ross Sparks were unable to attend the ceremony and they will be sworn in later in the year.

Retirements
These Justices have recently retired- Mary Berge (22), Margaret McKay (21), Hamish Craigen (29), Nigel Allen (28) and Lyndon Graham (33) – together they have completed 133 years of service to their communities.  Mary Berge and Hamish Craigen have both applied for JP (Retired) status but have resigned from the Association while Nigel Allen, Margaret McKay and Lyndon Graham will remain as retired members of CJPA and they also have applied for the status of JP (Retired).

Obituaries
Owen Ralph Knowles, JP died on the 3rd July having just completed 30 years’ service.

Christine Maria Wilson, JP   I only recently became aware of Christine's death who died in May last year.    She had completed five years.  

As with many of the deaths of JPs there was no reference in their death notice to them being a Justice of the Peace.  If any one is aware of a fellow Justice passing away,  please contact CJPA registrar@jpcanterbury.org.nz so the association can acknowledge the Justice's service to the community.

Long Service Certificates
The CJPA has recently received a number of 30 and 40 years Long Service Certificates from the Ministry of Justice and a list of recipients is attached to this newsletter.  There are 19 recipients of 30 years and four with 40 years service.  Collectively this adds up to 730 years of voluntary service which is a significant achievement by any account.  

We hope to present these certificates along with the JP (Retired) certificates and badges at the Annual General Meeting on the 19th October and I will try to contact recipients on the list to personally invite you for the presentations.

Canterbury JP Association Long Service Certificates
The CJPA Council have approved the design for 10 and 20 year Long Service certificates.  These will be available to members later in the year.   A sample certificate is available on the website for viewing.   The 20 year certificates will be produced first and will be available at Association Education and Training sessions.   As there are more than 300 certificates to be produced and distributed it may take a while to get to everyone but in the words of a prominent New Zealander – “it won’t happen overnight but it will happen!”

102nd Annual General Meeting October 2019
Notice is hereby given that the 102nd Annual General Meeting of the Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association Incorporated will be held at the Christchurch North Methodist Church Centre – 68 Harewood Road, Papanui Christchurch, Cnr Chapel Street on Saturday the 19th October 2019 at 9:30am.

The annual reports and accounts will be emailed to members and available to view on the CJPA Website prior to the AGM.   Hard copies will be posted to members without email addresses two weeks prior to the meeting and additional copies will also be available at the meeting.

A morning tea will be provided following the meeting, and I urge as many of you as possible to attend the AGM and hear about the work of your Association during the past 12 months.

Ken Shields, JP
Registrar