PEOPLE – NIXON J. R. Councillor welcomed on Bench

Accreditation Cleveland Standard 21/11/1936

Coun. J. R. Nixon Welcomed
On Bench

Mr Reuben Nixon Receives
Congratulations

   Two very pleasing ceremonies took place at Redcar Police Court on Friday afternoon when Mr. Arthur Pickering, chairman of the Redcar Bench, welcomed the Mayor of Redcar (Councillor J.R. Nixon) to the bench, and offered congratulations to Mr. Reuben Nixon on his new appointment at South Bank.
“I am very glad to see we have his Worship the Mayor with us this afternoon,” he said. “It is my pleasure to offer him the congratulations of this Bench and officials of this Court. It has been my pleasure to know the Mayor for close on half a century and I know I may claim to have some knowledge regarding him.I have not always agreed with views expressed by him during his public life but at the same time I have always had the feeling that he meant well.
“You may have had during your municipal career,” he continued, ” a rather rough and chequered voyage, but your (some and forcefulness of character and your determination has brought you safely into port, with the result that you have achieved the aim of your life. I trust that during the next twelve months the Mayoress and yourself will experience much joy and much success. It is also my pleasure to give you a very sincere and warm welcome to the Bench.
“By virtue of your views you have filled the position of a Justice of the Peace, which means you are taking on many additional responsibilities. But your experience of humanity, I am certain, has fitted you for such a position, and I feel sure that in the cases yo have to listen to in this Court you will give an attentive hearing. I wish you every success.
Mr. Reuben Nixon (clerk to the Court) said it was rather unfortunate that he and Mr. Nixon bore the same name. “I have received numerous congratulations on being Mayor of Redcar.” he said.
Mr. Nixon thought that when a man became chief citizen of the town it was very fitting that he should become a Magistrate and he hoped that during the next two years the Mayor would come to the Court and learn the problems that were facing humanity and facing the Court. He had known him for thirty odd years, and he had never known him consciously do or say anything to the detriment of anyone.

   Appointment of Mr. R. Nixon

   Referring to the appointment of Reuben Nixon as Magistrate’s Clerk at South Bank, Mr. Arthur Pickering said that he had been pleased to learn that Mr. Nixon, who was clerk to the Redcar Court, had been appointed Magistrates Clerk at South Bank.
“Mr. Nixon has been clerk here for (some) years,” he said. ” He has had his training and gained his experience here. I am sure our colleagues at South Bank have made a very wise choice. Mr. Nixon, I hope that you will give them the same attentive and efficiency of duty to the South Bank Court that you have given to the Redcar Court. In behalf of the Bench I offer you my sincere congratulations.
Mr. A Lauriston and Inspecor Keown offered their congratulations on behalf of the Police and solicitors respectively.
Mr. Lauriston welcomed the Mayor on behalf of the solicitors and he spoke of Mr Nixon’s views remarking that it had been said by the Chairman that he did not always agree with Mr. Nixon’s views but one thing no one could challenge was the sincerity of those views. He hoped that they would see Mr. Nixon on the Bench frequently and he felt that the Bench would be strengthened by his presence.
The mayor was also welcomed by the Probation Officers on behalf of the Police by Inspector Keown.
Councillor J. R. Nixon said that he had always had a secret desire to become a magistrate. The evidence of friendship he had been offered was a source of great gratification and it was evidence  which, to him, was most precious.