MYERS, SIR MICHAEL

MYERS, SIR MICHAEL (1873–1950), lawyer; chief justice of New Zealand. Born in the small township of Motueka, Myers was educated in Wellington and joined the largest law firm there, acting in crown cases that were both criminal and civil. In 1922 he was appointed king's counsel and began his own practice. Six cases in which he was involved went to the Privy Council and in all of them he was successful. From 1929 to 1946, Myers was chief justice of New Zealand, and his wide practical experience and keen sense of justice earned him a high reputation. In 1936 he served as justice on the Privy Council and in 1946 he represented New Zealand on the United Nations committee of jurists. Myers took an active interest in all Jewish affairs and was president of the Wellington synagogue from 1912 to 1921, a post previously held by both his father and elder brother. Myers was intensely interested   in Jewish history and was patron of the Australian Jewish Historical Society. On several occasions he acted for the governor-general during the latter's absences from New Zealand. -ADD. BIBLIOGRAPHY: P. Spiller, "Sir Michael Myers," in: The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. (Maurice S. Pitt)