Hauraki Justices of the Peace

Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 46, September 2002

THE 35TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE HAURAKI JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ASSOCIATION (INC.)

By Maureen McCollum

At the 35th Annual Meeting of the Hauraki Justices of the Peace Association (Inc.), Mrs Julia Lowe from Paeroa was inducted as the 2001 - 2002 President of this Association.

The Hauraki Association was originally a sub-branch of the Auckland Association, and in 1965 it became an Association in its own right, with Mr W D (Bill) Hare from Whenuakite (Coromandel Peninsula), appointed as the Association's first President. Mr Lyall Noakes was elected the first Registrar.

Sixty-year-old Mrs Lowe is following in her Grandfather's footsteps, with this appointment. Mr Richard Baker from Thames was appointed a Justice of the Peace around 1920, and it was Julia's dream to follow his appointment someday. Julia was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace in 1992.

Mrs Lowe was born in Te Aroha and when two weeks old, was brought to Paeroa by her parents, Rhoda and Louis Ziegler, who raised a family of seven children. Mr Ziegler was an employee of the former Thames Valley Electric Power Board at Paeroa. He later became an electrical contractor with his own business.

Julia's schooling commenced at Paeroa Central School, followed by High School education. She commenced her working career, firstly with the Social Security Department in Paeroa, followed by a period in Auckland, returning to Paeroa to marry her husband, Peter, a Master Builder, in 1963. Their family consists of two sons and a daughter.

Mrs Maree Townsend and Mrs Julia Lowe

Mrs Julia Lowe is one of Paeroa's most public spirited residents, having contributed to the organisations of local School Committees, was District Commissioner of the Girl Guides movement where she was awarded a Service Medal, was very involved in the National Jamboree Organisation, and lastly, the Paeroa Methodist Church, which is now the Co-operating Parish of Paeroa. In 1986 Julia became a librarian for the Hauraki District Council's Library Service, a position she still holds today.

This Annual Meeting of the Association was held at the Ngatea War Memorial Hall, at which more than fifty Justices were present, including twelve former Presidents, two former Registrars and Federation President, Mr Bob Armstrong from Hamilton. It was Immediate Past President, Mrs Maree Townsend from Ngatea, who conducted the day's proceedings, and presented Mrs Lowe with the Chain of Office.

The Motto of this most ancient and honourable organisation is "Let Justice Be Done, Though The Heavens May Fall". But for this quietly spoken lady, it will, she says, be a humbling experience, and one she will serve, to the best of her ability.