OUR HISTORY – Justice of the Peace – Keeper of the Rain Gauge

Add this to the list of odd duties undertaken by Justices of the Peace. G. T. Wright, JP, was asked to oversee a rain gauge set up on the roof of the grandstand at Christchurch Showgrounds, and to “record observations”. If Mr Wright, as an independent, disinterested party, declared that more than 2.5mm of rain fell between 7 and 10 on the morning of “People’s Day”, the A and P Association would collect the $10,000 “rain insurance” cover it took out against wet weather affecting attendances and… therefore… takings. (The weather on the day concerned turned out to be cloudy – but pleasantly warm – with the showgrounds thronged!)

Researched and compiled by Ric Carlyon