Clive ticks off half a century in Kaitaia practice

MILESTONE: Clive Patterson celebrating 50 years of practising law in Kaitaia.

Kaitaia solicitor Clive Patterson's family and staff treated him to a surprise morning tea on Thursday, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his arrival in the town.

Mr Patterson was born in Dunedin, receiving his early education at Tainui School, Palmerston North Boys' High School (after he, his parents and brother moved to the North Island) and finally Lower Hutt High School, and began his career in the Wellington Magistrate's Court, followed by the Supreme Court, before joining a Wellington firm that served as the agent for Kaitaia solicitor George Dragicevich.

Mr Dragicevich was keen to find a young lawyer to join him, and Mr Patterson flew to Kaitaia (aboard a DC3) in December 1964, taking up a position with the firm on January 15, 1965.

Eleven years later he opened his own practice, where he was joined by various partners over the years (including Chris Lord). His son Mark joined him 12 years ago, and more recently Simon Punshon.

A good deal had changed over the last 50 years, he said last week, not least the fact that the Northland Age had distracted him for two minutes twice a week under the editorship of Derric Vincent, but was now good for 20 minutes.

It was many years since he had worked as a barrister, but he had enjoyed that role, especially when a trial ended with his client's acquittal.

The highlights of the last half-century were not all legal though. He had met his wife to be, Fay Crene, shortly after his arrival, and escorted her, then aged 18, to her first ball.