'Sticky' Glue is legally retired

Mervyn Glue

Christchurch's legal fraternity gathered in the police court to congratulate Mervyn "Sticky" Glue on his last day as a practising lawyer before they sentenced the 80-year-old to a happy retirement.

Lawyers and judges packed every seat for the surprise session before court started yesterday and wondered whether to place him on the judge's bench or in the dock, but finally settled for a seat at the front, alongside his wife Jennipher.

"I'm absolutely overwhelmed," said Mr Glue, after the four speeches packed with anecdotes about his 43-year career in the law.

Judge Stephen Erber said he met Mr Glue in 1959 when they were involved in a production of Anthony and Cleopatra - "a play about lust overcoming judgment".

He said that in the 1960s, when legal aid was much less abundant, Mr Glue had acted for everybody who didn't have any money and never charged them. He was also a great help to younger counsel.

"He wasn't a lawyer who was tricky or under-handed, but what he said, you could accept. He will be greatly missed," said Judge Erber.

Michael Knowles told Mr Glue: "Mervyn, if this place is a stage - and you tried to make it so - you didn't strut or fret about it, you bestrode it."

David Ruth recalled that after he had referred to a police prosecutor as "my learned friend", Mr Glue had whispered from behind that the prosecutor was "neither your friend nor learned".

Clare Yardley read a mock pre-sentencing report which described Mr Glue as a serial monogamist - he has had five wives - and said parts of his anatomy had caused concern over the years.

She told of a judge who had seen Mr Glue's nude performance in Foreskin's Lament, commenting when Mr Glue appeared in court, "For a man with a lot to say, you have a very small part."

James Rapley, chairman of the Canterbury branch of the Criminal Bar Association, said: "You have always offered assistance to clients and colleagues alike without question. This turn-out is a testament to you and the love we have for you."

- NZPA